Aussie_Wing

ICING ON A 2 MAN ADVANTAGE!? It's the "I refuse to admit Detroit make mistakes" line.

Hossa and Datsyuk are clearly the best players on this team right now, what a terrific shift. Hossa has an absolute rocket of a shot! And it's nearly impossible to strip the puck off Dats.

I agree with all of this. The Wings won't make any drastic changs though, which means Draper and Maltby will stay. Hossa-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary Leino-Filppula-Samuelsson Helm-Abdelkader-Hudler

Seriously, you= LEGEND! Not chippy and actually has normal camera angles.

I'm sorry but how could anyone possibly suggest Lebda is better than Quincey? Seriously now...

Horrible, horrible PP.

Are these really the lines? How come Hudler assisted on Hank's goal? A few thoughts on the lines... For an organisation with so much depth, that is an awful 4th line. The Grind Line is back but they're all has beens. I like that 3rd line, brings the Griffins together!

Hi everyone, just finished uni for the day. Quincey for Norris...

Norfolk Admirals (1-3-2) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (3-0-1) @ The Griffins finally had their season opener last night as they defeated the potent Bulldogs side 6-4. Ritola was awarded the games 1st star as he enjoyed a three point night and he and Emmerton looked to develop some chemistry. Emmerton had his first 2 points of the season and was adjudged the 3rd star. After racing out to an early 4-0 lead the Griffins lost focus and turned the puck over far too often which allowed the Bulldogs back into the contest. Howard saved 20 of 24 shots to get the victory but his GAA and S% aren’t looking too healthy to start the season. The Griffins will be looking to win their 4th straight game against a struggling Norfolk side. Probable line-up: Leino - Helm - Haydar McGrath - Abdelkader - Tardif Ritola - Emmerton - Wilson Mursak - Oulahen – Downey Ericsson - Pyett Galvin - Kindl Jozsa - Stafford Larsson Howard Team Leaders: Goals: Leino (4) Assists: Ritola (4) Points: Ritola (7) Penalty Minutes: Wilson (13) Notes: • As Howard started last night it is expected Larsson will get the start today. • Leino and Ritola are off to hot starts as they have both registered a point in every game thus far. • The Griffins opened their season in front of a sell-out crowd.

I agree. I think Babs sent a pretty clear message to Maltby that his future is up in the air. Given the development of Helm and Abdelkader, who project to be similar players but with more upside, I struggle to see how Maltby will be around next season.

Thanks for the recap Coyote0106! Very pleased to hear that Downey is having a position influence on the team, as was expected really given how highly a number of Wings view him. His presence on the team must be a real boost to the group, especially the youngsters. The defence does seem to be conceding a lot of goals on a regular basis. I guess at this stage it can be put down to a lot of new players and just unfamiliarity. Hopefully with time and more gelling as a group there will be less lapses and a reduction of the giveaways. But unlike last season, at least this team can score!

This Griffins team is ridiculously good, they are absolutely loaded offensively! Abdelkader has shocked me, we always knew he was a physical player who played a good 2 way game but he’s just on fire. If he keeps developing the way he is I can even see him on a scoring line in Detroit down the track. He is currently 2nd in rookie scoring. Leino is obviously just a class above and has 9 points in 5 games, his absence will be a huge loss for the Griffins. I’m also really impressed with Darren Helm, we all know that he’s an energetic player who can create scoring chances but he’s quietly amassed a point in every game. Kosolov worked his way back into the line-up last night while Mursak was a healthy scratch. Unfortunately Ritola’s streak came to an end! Larsson is real impressive and before too long I think he'll overtake Howard.

Wow, hattrick for Abdelkader in only his 5th game. Tied for second in rookie scoring. What a start he's made to his pro career!

This could belong in the prospects board but I thought given the whole fighting/toughness saga that is always played out on this board it could be relevant here... Abdelkader I'm sure this will please a few of the posters around here to know that we have a young prospect who is prepared to drop the gloves and stand up for himself. So not only will he play physical but he has 2 goals for 4 points in as many games to start his pro career. I’m pretty excited about this kid and I bet he is called up at some stage this season.

Hamilton Bulldogs (4-0-1) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (2-0-1) V The Griffins will finally play their home opener at Van Andel Arena as they take on the Hamilton Bulldogs in what will be a very good test for the young Griffins. The Bulldogs have a few highly rated NHL prospects such as Max Pacioretty, the 19 year old power forward the Canadiens drafted in 2007. Jakub Kindl will be up against former Kitchener defensive teammate Yannick Weber. Former 1st rounder Shawn Belle, now with his 3rd NHL team, is also in the line-up. The Griffins haven’t played in nearly a week and are likely to be a bit rusty but playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season should give them a lift. Energetic forward Darren Helm is back in the line-up and should log heavy minutes as he strives to be back up with Detroit. Possible line-up (subject to change): Leino - Abdelkader - Haydar Wilson - Pare - Helm Ritola - Emmerton - Mursak McGrath - Oulahen - Downey Ericsson - Pyett Galvin - Kindl Jozsa - Stafford Howard Larsson Team Leaders: Goals: Leino, Hayder, Wilson, Abdelkader (2) Assists: Ritola, Pyett (3) Points: Ritola, Leino, Hayder (4) Penalty Minutes: Wilson (13) Notes: • Howard and Larsson have been splitting the starts and it’s unknown who will get the start at this stage. Most likely Howard. • Kindl and Ritola have registered a point in every game thus far. • Abdelkader left the Griffins last game in the 2nd period with a knee injury but is expected to play.

Maybe not, but we all know who got the monster score.

Week 3 Results: 1. MSDoubleJ19 16/21 2. FinRedWing 15 2. WingsRJ91 15 4. Dano33 14 4. Shutemdown 14 4. Chase 14 4. redwingslady87 14 4. Dominator 2005 14 9. CrossCheck24 13 9. David 13 9. Superman54 13 9. Wildwings44 13 9. Sebastian 13 9. betterREDthandead 13 9. frederick9125 13 9. timothy1997 13 9. Landstander 13 9. TheGreatOne 13 19. mindfly 12 19. interminded 12 19. HD30 12 19. Osgood4President 12 19. wingschamps 12 19. wingsfan40 12 19. wingsgirl001 12 19. sibiriak 12 19. wingsfanatic4alltime 12 19. DatsyukownzU13 12 19. McCartyFanForLife 12 19. Hockeytown0001 12 19. Mithros 12 19. Aussie_Wing 12 19. rwfan007 12 19. T-Ruff 12 19. SwedeLundin77 12 19. P. Marlowe 12 19. SeeinRed 12 19. wingslogo19 12 39. #19=Legend 11 39. Mickeyisms Rule! 11 39. naranja 11 39. Elshupacabra 11 39. GoWiings1905 11 39. shannyfan1414 11 39. hawkupaloogie 11 39. Ontario Wingsfan 11 39. ManLove4Homer 11 39. akustyk 11 39. cirov19 11 39. zata40 11 51. Duck Guy 10 51. johnnyoski 10 51. TRD604 10 51. juice71285 10 51. edicius 10 51. Systemfel 10 51. North Guy 10 58. stormboy 9 58. NeverForgetMac25 9 58. Hockey13Playa 9 61. LEBDA22 8 61. j.hoop 8 Congratulations to MSDoubleJ19 who is the Week 3 winner with a score of 16!

Care to share you thoughts on the game? I’d really love to hear more about the game because it sounded like a really exciting encounter. Our prospects fared pretty well and most seem to have made a flying start to the season. The coaching change had to happen; the team was a mess last season. The addition of a solid group of veterans as well as a number of exciting rookies seems to have made a huge difference. Sounds as though you had an interesting night!

We've just got to hope that it's not too serious. One negative impact of the injury is that the 4th line looks very weak now. And I don't like the fact that one of Kopecky, Draper, Maltby and McCarty will be on the 3rd line. I wouldn't mind a 3rd line of Hudler-Filppula-Kopecky, the Griffins all back together again.

Hossa- GUN!!! Wings win, phew!

Hossa needs to play more. Seriously, he's on a 6 game point streak, he's got like 10 points in 6 games and he's playing about 16 minutes per night. Not nearly enough.

And another penalty. Ridiculous Detroit.

Does Kronwall have a brain? How many freaking penalties is he going to take this season?

HUDS!!!! 3 point night for Huds, where are the haters now?

Wow, how good are we when we want to be? Tie game just like that!