Aeros beat Griffins in West showdown

Mike Smith made 30 saves to help Houston to a 3-2 win over Grand Rapids on Sunday evening at the Toyota Center.

The win moved the Aeros into a tie with Cincinnati for third place in the West Division. The Griffins are back in fifth, just two points behind the Aeros and Mighty Ducks.

Kyle Wanvig, Derek Boogaard and Kirby Law scored as Houston took a 3-0 lead into the third period. Boogaard’s goal was his first in 106 career AHL games.

Niklas Kronwall got the Griffins on the board early in the third, and Tomas Kopecky cut it to 3-2 with just 18 seconds left in regulation. But Houston held on to bring an end to Grand Rapids’ five-game winning streak.

NORFOLK 3, BINGHAMTON 2 (SO)
Matt Ellison had a goal and an assist in regulation then scored the deciding goal in the shootout as Norfolk posted a 3-2 win over Binghamton.

Rene Bourque had two assists for the Admirals and Adam Munro made 31 saves as Norfolk avenged Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the Sens.

Jason Spezza recorded an assist for his league-leading 99th point of the season.

HERSHEY 5, WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON 3
Marek Svatos scored the winning goal at the 7:10 mark of the third period, propeling Hershey to a 5-3 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The Bears had opened up a 3-0 lead in the first period, but the Penguins came back and tied the game with two goals 17 seconds apart in the opening moments of the third.

Svatos and Martin Hlinka finished with a goal and an assist apiece for Hershey, and Tom Lawson made 33 saves.

Ross Lupaschuk had a goal and an assist for the Penguins.

Hershey is now six points behind Wilkes-Barre for fourth place in the East Division.