Amerks.com – The Rochester Americans beat the Grand Rapid Griffins 5-2 tonight at the Van Andel Arena. The Amerks second win in a row improves the team’s record to 22-40-6-4 on the year.

The teams rookies stepped up big in tonights game. Marc-Andre Gragnani had two goals to put him as the team leader in points with 50 (14+36) and earning him first star honors. Tommy Goebel netted the game winner for the Amerks in the third period. In goal for the Rochester Americans was Tyler Plante who stood on his head stopping a season high 47 of 49 shot-on-goal earning him the third star of the game.

For the third time in three straight games the Amerks got on the board first. Gragnani put the puck past goaltender Jimmy Howard on the two-man advantage. Gragnani’s goal surpassed Mark Mancari for the team lead in points. Gragnani’s goal was assisted by Jordan Henry and Dylan Hunter. Henry in his last two games has collected three points (1+2).

In the second the Griffins tied the game on a goal from blue-liner Kyle Quincey at the 1:07 mark. Quincey’s fifth of the year was assisted by Darren Helm and Carl Corazzini.

The Amerks regained the lead at the 14:16 mark of the second on an individual effort from Stefan Meyer. Meyer’s 19th of the season ties him for the team lead in goals with Hunter.

At the 4:32 mark of the third period the Griffins evened the score on a goal from Francis Lemiuex. Lemiuex’s fifth of the year was assisted by Quincey who registered his second point of the night.

In his fifth game as an American Tommy Goebel put the Amerks back on top of the Griffins 3-2 at the 6:56 of the third. Goebel second of the year was assisted by David Brine. Goebel has tallied five points (2+3) during his short time with the Amerks.

Gragnani decided to put his second goal of the night in the net at the 13:52 mark of the third. Gragnani’s 50th point during his rookie campaign came shorthanded from Tanner Glass.

Tossing the puck in the empty net with one second remaining in the game to round off the scoring for the Amerks was Anthony Stewart from Paul Baier.