Grand Rapids Griffins Score Big in Key Victory
In a significant victory, the Grand Rapids Griffins secured a commanding 3-0 shutout against the Milwaukee Admirals. This win showcased the team’s skill and resilience, particularly during critical moments of the game.
Game Highlights and Key Performances
The first period ended scoreless, but opportunities were evident. Grand Rapids’ Dominik Shine nearly converted a turnover, though his shot was saved by Milwaukee’s goaltender Matthew Murray. With just over two minutes left in the first, Milwaukee’s Daniel Carr was granted a penalty shot, but Griffins’ goalie Sebastian Cossa made a crucial glove save.
Second Period Breakthrough
The second period proved decisive for the Griffins. They broke the deadlock at 13:31 when Erik Gustafsson scored on a power play, assisted by Brandsegg-Nygård and Dries. Just 34 seconds later, the Griffins struck again. Gustafsson’s shot led to a rebound, which Dries deftly redirected into the net, extending their lead to 2-0.
Additionally, the Griffins displayed defensive prowess by successfully killing a 5-on-3 disadvantage later in the period, keeping Milwaukee scoreless. In the game’s final minute, with an empty net, Austin Watson sealed the victory by scoring from the Griffins’ zone, finalizing the score at 3-0.
Coaching Milestone and Team Statistics
This win marked a notable achievement for head coach Dan Watson, who recorded his 100th victory with Grand Rapids. He now shares the record for the second-fastest coach to reach this milestone, trailing only behind Danton Cole after 172 games.
The Griffins excelled in other statistical categories as well:
- Power play success: 2 out of 4 opportunities, ranking eighth in the league at 22.7%.
- Penalty kill efficiency: Second place in the league at 86.6%.
- Overall victories against the Admirals: 119, the highest against any team.
- Perfect record when scoring first: 19-0.
Game Statistics
| Period | Grand Rapids | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 0 |
| 2nd | 2 | 0 |
| 3rd | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 |
Grand Rapids outshot Milwaukee 42 to 26, with Cossa making 26 saves for his first shutout of the season. The game drew an attendance of 7,969 fans.
Next Matchup
The Griffins improved their season record to 26-1-0-1, earning 53 points. They will face the Admirals again on December 31 at 6 p.m. Milwaukee’s record fell to 12-13-2-0, and they will play Rockford on December 30 at 6:30 p.m. CST.
