Griffins Fall to Monsters in Shootout in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Griffins pushed the Cleveland Monsters through regulation and overtime Friday night at Van Andel Arena before dropping a 3-2 decision in a shootout.

Sheldon Dries, back with the Griffins after six games with the Detroit Red Wings, tied the game on a first-period power play. Jesse Kiiskinen put Grand Rapids ahead early in the second with his sixth goal, tops among AHL rookies, before Cleveland answered on another power play.

Goalie Trey Augustine made a career-best 36 saves as the Monsters outshot Grand Rapids 38-23. Grand Rapids went 1-for-3 with the extra man and killed four of six Cleveland chances.

The point lifts the Griffins to 6-1-1-1 and stretches their point streak to five games. With 14 points, Grand Rapids shares the top spot in the whole league, and they sit two points ahead of Manitoba in the Central Division.

Filed under: Grand Rapids MI Sports News