Grand Rapids—without Marco Kasper—falls in Cleveland for its first regulation loss since January

Last night in Cleveland, the Grand Rapids Griffins fell 5-3 to the Monsters and in the process saw their point streak snap at 18, one game short of the all-time Griffins record.

The game caused more than a minor stir before the puck even dropped when Grand Rapids announced its lineup, and Marco Kasper was not slated to play.  At this time of year and given the news of Dylan Larkin's injury earlier in the day, Kasper's absence sparked questions and concerns:  Was he about to be traded?  Was he about to be called up to the Red Wings?

Per Griffins coach Dan Watson, the answer was neither.  Instead, Kasper had a minor upper body injury, which left him unavailable.  Watson also said Kasper is not expected to miss extended time.  Once the puck did drop, Grand Rapids grabbed an early lead thanks to a Jonatan Berggren power play strike in the game's first five minutes.

However, Cleveland followed up Berggren's goal with three straight goals over the course of the second period to take a 3-1 lead.  Late in the second, Matt Luff scored to cut the deficit to one, and early in the third, Dominik Shine tied the game at three.  

Despite that comeback effort, the Monsters proceeded to find a late push, with Trey Fix-Wolansky notching the go-ahead goal 8:34 into the final frame before Brendan Gaunce added an empty-netter in the final minute of regulation.

The Griffins had not lost in regulation a 2-0 defeat at home to the Rockford Ice Hogs on January 12.  They will look to start a new streak on Friday night at home at Van Andel Arena, when they host the Chicago Wolves.

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