FLAMES DOWN GRIFFINS IN GRAND FASHION

Grand Rapids, MI – The Adirondack Flames started the week off right with a 4-1 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins Sunday evening at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

It was a well-rounded effort from the Flames, with scoring contributions from five different players. John Ramage and Ben Hanowski each scored a goal, while Mark Cundari, Kenny Agostino and David Wolf had multipoint games in the win. Cundari’s three-assist effort is a season high. Between the pipes, Brad Thiessen kept shot after shot out of the net, and finished with 37 saves on 38 shots.

The Flames got off to a lightning fast start, and opened the scoring just 18 seconds into the first period when Agostino banged one home against Griffins’ goalie Tom McCollum. Cundari and Wolf recorded assists on the goal.

Adirondack continued to have a foothold on Grand Rapids throughout the second period. The Flames cashed in on a power play opportunity for their second goal of the game when Ramage rocketed a one-timer just 4:53 into the middle stanza to push the Flames lead to 2-0. Ramage’s shot was set up by a pass from Cundari to Wolf. Wolf sent it back to Ramage as he was wound up to fire it past McCollum.

Just a little more than three minutes later, Poirier scored on the backhand to beat McCollum and extend the lead 3-0. It was Poirier’s first goal since returning to the Adirondack lineup after a five-game stint in Calgary.

The Griffins dampened the Flames’ scoring party eight minutes into the final period when Landon Ferraro put Grand Rapids on the board for their first goal of the afternoon. Ferraro scored a shorthanded breakaway goal, beating Thiessen to cut the Flames lead to 3-1. Thiessen finished with 37 saves on 38 shots.

The Flames killed a crucial power play opportunity for the Griffins with less than five minutes to play in regulation. With three minutes to go, Grand Rapids pulled its netminder McCollum, and moments later it was Hanowski who scored an empty-netter to seal the Adirondack victory.

The Flames return to Glens Falls on Wednesday for their final match of the season against Hamilton at the Civic Center, with puck drop slated for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are still available for Wednesday’s contest, and all remaining Flames home games. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online at glensfallscc.com to be a part of Great Meadow Federal Credit Union Wednesday.

Adirondack Flames Hockey • Fired Up

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