CLEVELAND – The Grand Rapids Griffins used two third period goals to defeat the Cleveland Monsters on Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena. They were led by goaltender Tom McCollum who earned his seventh win of the season while becoming the all-time leader in wins for the defending Calder Cup champions.
The Griffins (23-18-1-5) finish their three-game series against the Monsters (14-23-4-3) on Sunday afternoon from Cleveland. The puck drops at 1 p.m.
Brady Austin scored his fourth goal of the season just 1:05 into the game from the left circle. He received a cross-ice pass from Terry Broadhurst in the right circle. The puck elevated high enough to sneak over McCollum’s left pad for the one-goal lead.
Matt Puempel tied the game with 2:59 left in the first period with his 18th goal of the year. After getting a pass from Filip Hronek at the point, the team’s leading scorer took a wrist shot that was initially stopped by Cleveland goaltender, Jeff Zatkoff. However, the rebound caromed right back to Puempel who took a snap shot that went sailing over Zatkoff’s glove and into the net for the power play tally.
Corey Elkins gave the Griffins a 2-1 lead with his eighth goal of the campaign at the 14:49 mark of the second frame. Turner Elson initially led the odd-man rush and took the initial shot, but he missed the net entirely. The puck deflected off of the back boards and ricocheted to Elkins who hit a shot from the sharpest angle on the ice.
Alex Broadhurst tied the game with his 11th goal of the season 8:05 into the third stanza with a slick shot from the left circle. Terry Broadhurst made a behind-the-back pass from the Cleveland zone to his younger brother in the neutral zone. After skating into the Griffins zone, past two defenders, Broadhurst sent the puck into the top left corner of the net over McCollum’s right shoulder.
Hronek tallied his fifth goal of the year to give the Griffins a 3-2 lead with 4:13 remaining in regulation. The defenseman skated past two defenders in the neutral zone, and then took a shot from just inside the blue line between two more defenders. The puck traveled under Zatkoff’s right arm and into the net.
With 22 seconds left, Grand Rapids added an insurance goal from Matt Lorito. After four missed scoring chances on an empty net, Lorito cashed in on a turnover in the neutral zone for his 13th goal. He skated past two defenders and then towards the open cage to make the final score 4-2.
McCollum finished with 26 saves for the victory, while Zatkoff pushed aside 27 shots in a losing effort.
Notes: Tom McCollum passed Joey MacDonald on the all-time wins list…He’s also the all-time saves leader for the franchise.
Three Stars: 1. GR Hronek (Game-winning goal, assist); 2. GR McCollum (W, 26 saves); 3. CLE Broadhurst, T (Two assists)
