GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Matt Puempel blistered a one-timer past Mat Robson to break a 1-1 tie with 54 seconds left on Wednesday before Givani Smith potted two empty-net goals, as the third-place Grand Rapids Griffins rode a 20-save effort by Calvin Pickard to a 4-1 win over the second-place Iowa Wild at Van Andel Arena.
Pickard’s bid for a second-straight shutout was spoiled with less than four minutes remaining in the game, but the Griffins prevailed in this potential first-round playoff preview to solidify their standing in the Central Division.