GRAND RAPIDS -- In a couple of tight games, the Grand Rapids Griffins showed what they were capable of against the best team in the Central Division this week.
The Griffins welcomed the Texas Stars, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Dallas Stars, for a pair of games.
The Stars came into West Michigan as one of the hottest teams in the league, and despite having one of the higher goals-against averages in the league, they kept Grand Rapids at bay in their first meeting on Wednesday night.
The shots were 26 apiece in the contest, with neither team managing to cash in on the power play. Texas’ Matej Blumel scored before the halfway mark of the second period, his 12th of the season, to break a scoreless deadlock. Though the Griffins had chances to tie the game in the third, Scott Reedy’s empty-net goal secured a 2-0 Texas win.
It was the third time Grand Rapids has been shut out this season.
On Friday night, things were looking even bleaker for the home side, as Texas outshot the Griffs, 18-8, in the opening 20 minutes. Goals from Matthew Seminoff and Fredrik Karlstrom had the Stars up by two in the early minutes of the middle stanza.
While they were unable to cash in on their opportunities, they did not fail on Friday.
Tyler Spezia kickstarted the rally with his fourth of the season just over seven minutes into the second period. Carter Mazur potted his fourth as well in the waning minutes of the frame, followed up by Antti Tuomisto scoring his first AHL goal just over a minute later to give GR the lead.
While Texas pushed for the equalizer, Jonatan Berggren sealed the deal with an empty-netter, as the Griffins picked up the split with a 4-2 win.
Michael Hutchinson stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced on Wednesday, and is 5-7-1 on the season. Sebastian Cossa earned his first win in three starts with a 26-save outing on Friday, and has a 4-5-2 record.
Despite winning just two of their last seven games, the Griffins (9-12-2-1) have jumped to fourth in the Central with 21 points, just one ahead of the fifth-place Rockford IceHogs, and 10 back of the Stars.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Griffins head down to Cedar Park for a pair of midweek matchups against the Stars, beginning a four-game road trip.
After the two games at Van Andel, Texas (13-5-2-1) remains atop the division with 31 points, six points ahead of the Milwaukee Admirals.
Last season, Grand Rapids went 3-1 at the H-E-B Center against the Stars.
Check out more Grand Rapids Griffins’ articles on MLive
UPCOMING SCHEDULE (Home games in BOLD)
- Tuesday, Dec. 19 @ Texas Stars (8 p.m. ET)
- Wednesday, Dec. 20 @ Texas Stars (8 p.m. ET)
- Wednesday, Dec. 27 @ Rockford IceHogs (8 p.m. ET)
- Friday, Dec. 29 @ Chicago Wolves (8 p.m. ET)
- Sunday, Dec. 31 vs. Cleveland Monsters (6 p.m. ET)
You can watch and listen to the Griffins all season long on AHL.TV
Find AHL standings and results here
The Link LonkDecember 16, 2023 at 09:59AM
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Griffins earn hard-fought split with first-place Texas - MLive.com
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