CEDAR PARK, Texas — The Grand Rapids Griffins showed some resiliency, but they weren’t fully back on Wednesday night.
In the second half of a back-to-back game against the Texas Stars, the Griffins trailed by a few points early, but lost 3-2 in overtime.
Just like on Tuesday night, the Stars were able to take the lead in the first period, when Antonio Stranges hit his 11th shot of the season just past the halfway point on target. Ten minutes before the second goal, Matej Blumer also scored his 11th of the year, giving the home team a 2-0 lead.
But the Griffins answered with some easy tallies of their own. Sheldon Dries stayed hot with his second goal in as many days at Cedar Park, scoring his team-leading 12th goal of the season thanks to some sweet play from defenseman William Rajeson.
Just two minutes later, Grand Rapids took advantage of a power play when Austin Watson hit a close-range shot over the shoulder of Texas netminder Magnus Helberg to tie the game.
It was part of the second period in which GR defeated Texas 16-6. Unfortunately, the team was unable to convert that momentum into a winning goal in the third period. Neither the Griffins nor the Stars found the back of the net for the rest of regulation thanks to great saves from Helberg and Detroit Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa.
The game had to be decided in overtime. Despite the Griffins getting one quality scoring chance, Texas’ Cameron Hughes came back to beat Cossa and score his ninth goal of the season, giving the Stars the win and ending the team’s losing streak at six. .
The Griffins ended up outscoring the Stars 31-26, a significant shooting total compared to Tuesday night’s game.
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Tim Getter, Cross Hanas and Antti Tuomisto each had an assist in the loss, as Tuomisto extended its winning streak to four games.
Grand Rapids went 1-for-3 on the power play and Texas went 0-for-2.
The Griffins (17-8-2-0) finished their four-game trip to the West with a 2-1-1 record and remain in first place in the Central Division, eight points ahead of the Milwaukee Admirals. The Stars (13-11-1-0) are in third place in the division, nine points behind Grand Rapids.
Looking ahead
The Griffins return to Van Andel Arena for two games this weekend, starting with a featured game against the Admirals on Friday night.
The Nashville Predators’ main team suffered a loss against the Chicago Wolves on Wednesday. Milwaukee (12-7, 1-3) has lost four of its past five games.
This year will be the fourth of eight meetings between the longtime rivals. Grand Rapids has won each of its first three games, including a 3-2 shootout victory last month.
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Upcoming schedule (home games are in bold)
Friday, Dec. 20 vs. Milwaukee Admirals (7:00 p.m. ET)Sunday, Dec. 22 vs. Texas Stars (4 p.m. ET)Saturday, Dec. 28 @ Cleveland Monsters (7:00 p.m. ET)Tuesday, Dec. 31 vs. Cleveland Monsters (6 p.m. ET)Thursday, January 2nd @Cleveland Monsters (6pm ET)
You can watch Griffins games all season long on AHL.TV.
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