12/13 GDT: Grand Rapids Griffins 2 @ Manitoba Moose 4

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Grand Rapids Griffins (13-6-3-3) @ Manitoba Moose (17-7-0-0)

@

Grand Rapids are on the road again to take on the Manitoba Moose for the second time in as many nights. Should the Griffins win in regulation they will be tied with Manitoba for first place in the North Division. Despite lighting up the Moose for 6 goals last night Manitoba are still quite comfortably the best defensive side in the league having conceeded the least amount of goals on the season.

The Griffins, still likely to be without top defenceman Jonathon Ericsson, got unexpected offence from a pair of defensive rookies in Sergei Kolosov and Logan Pyett. The offensive struggles continue for Ville Leino who is now without a point in his last 6 outings in what must be a concern. This game should also be a good oppertunity for captain Darren Haydar to step up after being kept off the scoresheet last night.

Probable line-up:

Mursak - Helm - Oulahen
Leino - Abdelkader - Haydar
Ritola - Emmerton - Tardif
Lemieux - Gagnon - Downey

Galvin - Kindl
Stafford - Jozsa
Kolosov - Pyett

Howard
Larsson

Team Leaders:

Goals: Haydar (10), Abdelkader (9)
Assists: Leino (16), Helm (13)
Points: Helm, Leino (20), Haydar (18)
Penalty Minutes: Abdelkader (44), Downey (43)

Notes:

• Jakub Kindl is on a 3 game point streak.
• Jimmy Howard, who only has 1 win from his past 6 outings, will get the start tonight.

TV/Radio:

Internet stream: Pay-per-view AHL Live

Radio: Grand Rapids Broadcast: Radio feed

Box Score

[uk_redwing 495]

Downey v Bootland tonight...

4-3 Grifs...Helm (2), Tardif and Kindl.

[Coyote0106 2]

Downey v Bootland tonight...

Oh man! I'd love to see that. I think even Bootland knows he'd get his butt handed to him... but it'd be so nice to see. I was never a big fan of "booter", so it'd be nice to show him how expendable he really was.

[sjradio 0]

The only time I was really a fan of Bootland is when he scored the go-ahead goal in late in game 7 in 2006's North Division final against the Moose.

[Coyote0106 2]

The only time I was really a fan of Bootland is when he scored the go-ahead goal in late in game 7 in 2006's North Division final against the Moose.

I forgot the moments like that, and just remember the bone head slash in what was his last game as a Griff... Or all the time I saw him sit in the box because the opponent got into his head.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Is this going to be a repeat of last night?

1-1 5 minutes into the game. Leino with an assist on Tardif's goal.

[Coyote0106 2]

2 - 1 now.

1. GR Tardif, (6) (Leino, Abdelkader), 4:27

1. GR Ritola, (8) (Haydar, McGrath), 8:22 (PP)

Let's keep it up!

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Not looking so good tonight, will take a miracle to get a point from this one.

Down 4-2 with 9 minutes remaining. Howard seems to have played well enough but for whatever reason he just can't seem to get a W.