10/11 GDT: Grand Rapids Griffins @ Lake Erie Monsters

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Considering how much talk there has been about our young prospects and the quality of depth within our organisation, I thought the interest in the Griffins might be pretty high this season. So I’ll test the waters and see if we can generate enough interests to warrant GDT’s. The Griffins open their season on the road against Lake Erie.

Possible line-up:

Leino - Helm - Haydar

Wilson - Emmerton - Mursak

Oulahen - Abdelkader - Ritola

Tardif - McGrath - Downey

Ericsson - Atherton

Stafford - Kindl

Galvin - Pyett

Larsson

Reichmuth

Notes:

• Rookie and 20th ranked prospect per RWC Sergei Kolosov not expected to crack the opening night line-up.

• The Griffins are loaded up front with Lemieux, Pare, Gagnon and Gelech all possibly healthy scratches.

• Jimmy Howard is with the team but not practicing due to his injured finger.

[TNBT 3]

No idea who will win this game, but I love that teams name.

[Scotty 0]

How bout we all say a silent prayer that Larsson isn't another Stephan Liv. :flush: :rip:

[irishtemper14+25 11]

larsson is way better than liv and hes gonna tear it up this year along with everyone else from GR

GO GRIFFINS!!!!!! 5-2 (leino(2), haydar, abdelkader, downey)

[uk_redwing 495]

As a fight fan, I love that 4th line.

Go Downey!

[Scotty 0]

larsson is way better than liv and hes gonna tear it up this year along with everyone else from GR

GO GRIFFINS!!!!!! 5-2 (leino(2), haydar, abdelkader, downey)

I know that Larsson is totally different then Liv but, everybody thought pretty highly of Liv to... But I'm sure we'll have better luck with Larsson.

[pinkprincess027 0]

I'm excited for the Griffins season to start and plan to follow the game tonight on the computer while I watch the Wings. I expect them to be pretty good as long as the Wings are staying healthy. My friends and I have 10 tickets to opening night in Grand Rapids on the 25th, I really recommend going to anyone in the area, front row seats are $25, its a lot of fun.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Bets of luck Griffs, really looking forward to this season as we have a lot of top end

talent playing on the Griffs roster. Hope they can all gel as a unit.

[pinkprincess027 0]

I found the Griffins game on my tv being broadcast from Ohio, we have the sports package and its on FSOHCL. I'm planning to switch back and forth on the commercials of the Red Wings game

[pinkprincess027 0]

Griffins scored in the first minute.

Jesse Boulerice (who Downey knocked out with one punch when he was playing with Dallas, and I think Boulerice was in Carolina)is playing with the Lake Erie Monsters, and Downey is in for Grand Rapids tonight, so it should be pretty interesting.

Edited October 11, 2008 by pinkprincess027

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Wow what a start for the Griffins! Goal inside the first minute!

1. GR Oulahen, (1) (Kindl, Haydar)

Looks like they've changed the lines up a bit, at least to start. Hayder-Oulahen-Emmerton started on the ice. Sergei Kolosov is playing which is good.

And I didn't realise how many good players Lake Erie has. Hensick, Williams, Boulerice to name a few, and Jason Bacashihua is their goalie.

[Konnan511 1,736]

LEINO with a sick goal!!!! Breakaway and buried it.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

LEINO with a sick goal!!!! Breakaway and buried it.

Keep on keeping on Leino.

Griffins leading 2-1 after 1 period and a very interesting period too. Helm and Cumiskey of the Monsters both had penalty shots but couldn't convert. Shots are 16-12 in favour of Grand Rapids.

[Scotty 0]

Good to see the Griffins winning a game... saw them lose enough last season. (I had partial season tickets)

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Two periods in the books, Griffins still leading 2-1.

23 shots apiece, good stuff this far by Larsson.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Abdelkader! AHL debut and he scores!

Assists from my man Mattias Ritola and rookie defenceman Loga Pyett.

It's now 3-2. Darren Helm was given an assist on Leino's goal.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Well unfortunately the Griffins lost 4-3 in OT.

Shots were 36-34 in favour of the Griffins. Darren Helm took a game high 7 shots, Leino took 5. Justin Abdelkader was named 3rd star with a goal, 5 shots and +1.

Going 0-7 on the PP was basically the reason they lost.

[Scotty 0]

Well unfortunately the Griffins lost 4-3 in OT.

Shots were 36-34 in favour of the Griffins. Darren Helm took a game high 7 shots, Leino took 5. Justin Abdelkader was named 3rd star with a goal, 5 shots and +1.

Going 0-7 on the PP was basically the reason they lost.

Yeah, I heard that they blew two chances late in the 3rd period. Yikes.

[jawbreaker 0]

I will be also keeping eye on the Griffins this year. Me hopes, that Emmerton/Mursak will be our future Hank/Pav 2.0

Plus, I really hope that Kindl has a better season, 'cos two bad seasons don't add confidence.

[Coyote0106 2]

Well, I just got back from the Cleveland trip, and that arena is crazy. They definitely get the fans involved in EVERY aspect of the game.

As for the game, it was an interesting one.

Downey was very vocal on the bench. When LE scored to tie it up at 3, he talked to EVERYONE on the bench. He stood up for a teammate after the 2nd period, chewing a guy out while on the bench for a hit. Downey talked to him later on in the 3rd when they were on the ice, and the guy looked like he was afraid to even acknowledge him.

Leino had a great breakaway goal, then got alittle too fancy on his 2nd breakaway. He tried to pull the "forsberg" and it backfired. Abdelkader's goal looked really nice, but I think Bacashua (sp?) should have had that one.

Larsson should have had the OT goal, it was a wrist shot that he was able to stop all night.

The one guy that had a really rough night was Atherton. He took 2 really bad penalties, and turned the puck over a couple times to many. McGrath hit a guy, then seconds later Abdelkader just flipped a guy right over him. It was 2 really big hits.

I think this team will do fine. We will win much more than we lose, which is a good thing from last year. It was just the first game, I think we'll do better next Saturday.

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

cant wait for the season opener @ home .. why did it take a f'n month for the griffs to play at home? they start off with a road trip er waht