From: Robert Desimone, Communications Manager
(713) 361-7920 Palmer Hestley, Asst. Communications Manager
(713) 361-7930
October 30, 2009
AEROS TRAVEL TO CEDAR PARK SUNDAY TO FACE THE STARS
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Griffins (6-4-0-0) scored three unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Aeros (6-6-0-0) 3-1 Friday in front of 4,473 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI. Forwards Michael Nylander, Evan McGrath and Patrick Rissmiller each scored for the Griffins and G Thomas McCollum (3-2-0) tallied 32 saves for the win. LW Robbie Earl scored the lone goal for Houston while G Wade Dubielewicz (2-4-0) made 26 saves to get saddled with his second loss in as many nights.
After a scoreless opening period, Earl put Houston on the board 1:58 into the second with his team-leading fourth goal cleaning up a point shot off the stick of D Jaime Sifers; D Jamie Fraser was also credited with an assist. The goal ended a 145:09 scoreless drought for the Aeros at Van Andel Arena. Houston would hold Grand Rapids scoreless for the remainder of the period marking only the second time the Aeros have outscored an opponent in the middle session this season.
The Aeros opened up the final session on a four-minute man advantage, but the power play unit was again held without a goal. Grand Rapids would tie the game at the 10:21 mark when a wrap-around bid by LW Mattias Ritola found its way across the crease to the blade of Nylander who beat Dubielewicz top shelf. Just over five minutes later McGrath gave the Griffins the lead with the eventual game-winner off helpers from D Jakub Kindl and C Cory Emmerton. Rissmiller would add an ENG with 1:11 left in the game to seal it.
Grand Rapids committed 10 penalties for 31 PIM resulting in six Houston power plays; however, the Aeros were again held scoreless on the man advantage extending their scoreless streak to 37 chances. The Griffins were 0-for-4 on the power play and were outshot 29-33 by the Aeros. Grand Rapids remains undefeated at home this season (5-0-0-0) while the Aeros dropped their second straight road game. The Aeros travel to Cedar Park, TX to take on the Texas Stars Sunday. Game time is set for 5 p.m. and the game can be heard on 1070 AM KNTH and ahlive.com.