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Oklahoma City Barons: Grand Rapids blows leads but still beats Barons in shootout

Oklahoma City newcomer, former NHL scoring champion Jonathan Cheechoo ties for game-high five shots on goal. Road trip continues 7 p.m. Friday at Milwaukee.

From Staff Reports | Published: January 23, 2013 Comment on this article

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Chad Billins and Gustav Nyquist were the only scorers in a shootout Wednesday night, helping Grand Rapids trim the Oklahoma City Barons 5-4 in an American Hockey League game before 5,531 fans at Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids, the Detroit Red Wings' farm team, won the overtime session after blowing 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 leads.

Griffins goaltender Petr Mrazek stopped all four Oklahoma City attempts in the shootout, including a try by former NHL scoring champion and Barons newcomer Jonathan Cheechoo. The former NHL All-Star was held scoreless in the game, although he and teammate Kristans Pelss tied with a game-high five shots on goal.

Another OKC newcomer, defenseman Brett Clark, had three shots on net and was minus-1.

Oklahoma City (19-16-6) picked up one standings point after coming back to tie 4-4. Mark Arcobello, Anti Tyrvainen, Tanner House and Martin Marincin had regulation goals for the Barons. Marincin finished with two points, assisting on House's goal that tied the game 3-3 with 4:06 left in the second period. Oklahoma City never led.

The Barons continue a three-game road trip at 7 p.m. Friday against the Milwaukee Admirals.