Las Vegas Thunder 4, Grand Rapids Griffins 2

Monday, Dec. 22, 1997 | 11:21 a.m.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--Jesse Belanger scored twice in the first period, including the game-winner at 17:16, to lead the Las Vegas Thunder (18-12-3) to a 4-2 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins (19-11-1) Saturday at Van Andel Arena. The game attracted the Griffins' 12th home sellout crowd of the season, 10,834. Belanger put the Thunder on the board with his 23rd goal of the season, 5:11 after the opening faceoff. Rob Pattison also scored in the first period, and assisted on a third-period goal by Joe Day. IHL scoring leader Patrice Lefebvre picked up a pair of assists, giving him 36 on the season. Brian Sullivan led the way for the Griffins, scoring on a second-period power play after helping to set up Greg Clancy's first-period score. Manny Legace picked up the win in goal, with 31 saves on the 33 shots he faced. Ian Gordon got the start for Grand Rapids, and stopped eight of 11 in the first period. Patrick Lalime turned away nine of ten in relief.

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