11/29 GDT: Rochester Americans 1 @ Grand Rapids Griffins 3

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Rochester Americans (3-16-0-1) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (10-5-2-3)

@

The Rochester Americans are in town to take on the Griffins in what should, on paper, be an easy victory. This should have been the first time former prospect Shawn Matthias faced off against the affiliate of the Wings but he was recently called up by the Panthers. Matthias has 4 points and is a team worst -19 in 19 games in the AHL and chances are if he was in any other organisation he wouldn’t have been called up. It's disappointing he likely won't be playing tonight.

Detroit has loaned RW Randell Gelech from Grand Rapids to Rochester so this could potentially be an interesting encounter. The Griffins are coming off one of their best wins for the season and should be high on confidence. This is an important divisional match with the Griffins currently in 4th while Rochester are last so the points are there for the taking. The Americans have highly rated prospects Michal Repik and Kenndal McArdle who lead the team in points. Near NHL All-Star (...) Rory Fitzpatrick is on the blueline.

Probable line-up:

Leino - Hayder - Helm
Ritola - Abdelkader - Emmerton
Tardif - McGrath - Mursak
Downey - Gagnon - Oulahen

Ericsson - Pyett
Kindl - Galvin
Stafford - Jozsa

Howard
Larsson

Team Leaders:

Goals: Hayder (9) Abdelkader, Wilson (8)
Assists: Leino (16), Helm (13)
Points: Leino (20), Helm (18)
Penalty Minutes: Wilson (37), Downey (32)

Notes:

• With 2 assists last night Cory Emmerton has 8 assists in 7 games.
• With a 2 point night last night Jakub Kindl has 11 points on the season, tied for 14th amonst defenceman scoring.
• Lasson started last night and won, it’s doubtful he’ll play again tonight but he is the in-form goalie.

[j.hoop 64]

cool man, nice GDT. are you a mod?? if so, i was wondering if you could change the score on the thread title like they do in main discussion.

anyways, good to see the griffs win last night against a good team. i hope larsson is shaping up to be what he need him to be. GO GRIFFS!!

[sjradio 0]

cool man, nice GDT. are you a mod?? if so, i was wondering if you could change the score on the thread title like they do in main discussion.

I am the mod, I just changed some of the recent ones, but I will change the title after the games. per your suggestion.

[j.hoop 64]

I am the mod, I just changed some of the recent ones, but I will change the title after the games. per your suggestion.

thanks man, i appreciate it!

[uk_redwing 495]

Hopefully they can take on the momentum from last night into tonights game, and Downey can continue to kick ass!

[sjradio 0]

Rochester is in last in the division, I hope we dominate this game, we can't play down to the level of a last place team.

Need to come out and score early and often... and I really mean that.

[uk_redwing 495]

DOWNEY SCORED!!!!! 1-0 GRIFFINS!!!

[pinkprincess027 0]

DOWNEY SCORED!!!!! 1-0 GRIFFINS!!!

I am so excited for him!

At the end of the first period the score is 2-0 Downey from McGrath and Ritola from Tardif and Emmerton

[uk_redwing 495]

3-0 Abs.

Downey is now a fight away from a Gordie Howe!

[pinkprincess027 0]

Downey with a multi point game!!

Abdelkader with the goal with assists from Downey and McGrath

It sounds like he is playing on the second line tonight with Abdelkader and McGrath.

All Aaron needs now is a fight for a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Rochester just scored.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

A whole lot of encouraging things to take from this game. First of all good to get the win and have a 2 game win streak heading into tomorrow’s clash against Chicago. First of all I’m really pleased for Downey. I've been hearing a few people who have been discontent with his play lately so this is exactly what he needed for his own confidence and to show people he's capable of chipping in on offence too.

Also great to see Adbelkader on the board too because coming into the game he was on a 6 game goalless streak. If he can get back to the level he was playing at in October the whole team will benefit.

Pleased to see Ritola score again and get credited with the GWG. Kindl failed to register a point but was a +2 so that can only be good. And Cory Emmerton with yet another assist which makes 9 points in 8 games and he’s on a 3 game point streak. I can’t see him being a healthy scratch for a while…

We got the win without Helm, Leino and Hayder showing up on the scoreboard and Howard with 2 strong games in a row, hopefully he can keep it up.

[sjradio 0]

It's real nice to see that Downey actually remembered that the point is actually to score goals, and get assists.

Which he did.

Three Stars of the game last night..

1. Downey

2. Howard

3. McGrath

Keep it going in Chicago tonight.

[j.hoop 64]

good job griffs, sounds like you played a great game

[Icer 0]

I went to the game hoping to see an Abdelkader goal and wasn't disappointed. GR dominated the first two periods on both sides of the puck.

Edited December 1, 2008 by Icer