GRAND RAPIDS 2, HOUSTON 0
Grand Rapids remained perfect on its six-game homestand with a 2-0 win over Houston on Thursday at Van Andel Arena. Goaltender Daniel Larsson posted a 34-save shutout for the Griffins, who improved to 4-0-0-0 since opening their home slate.
Larsson, a 2009 AHL All-Star, moved over .500 on the season at 3-2-0 and has stopped 75 of 76 shots (98.7 percent) over his last two appearances.
Eighteen-year-old rookie Tomas Tatar provided all the offense the Griffins would need with his first professional goal – a power play marker – at 14:56 of the opening period. Francis Pare and Logan Pyatt picked up the assists.
Jan Mursak added an insurance goal for Grand Rapids just 26 seconds into the second frame, with Kris Newbury earning the lone helper.
Houston, which will square off with the Griffins for a rematch on Friday, saw its three-game winning streak come to an end.
WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON 1, MANITOBA 0
Ryan Bayda scored the game’s lone goal 39 seconds into overtime as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton edged Manitoba by a 1-0 final on Thursday at the MTS Centre.
Bayda, who has now racked up five goals in his last five games, was assisted on the play by defenseman Chris Lee.
Goaltender John Curry (5-2-0) earned his first shutout of the season with 23 saves in net for the Penguins, who upped their points streak to five games (4-0-1-0).
The two teams will clash again on Friday night in Winnipeg.
