12/17 GDT: Griffins 5, Crunch 1 @ GR

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Syracuse Crunch (14-12-0-1) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (13-7-3-3)

@

Syracuse Crunch are in town to take on the Griffins in a crunch match (no pun intended). The Griffins are just 3 points ahead of the Crunch so this looms as a must win game at home. 4 time 50 point producer in the NHL Mike York is the Crunch’s main point producer while the 6th overall pick in last years draft Nikita Filatov has 17 points in 23 games. Another rookie, 19 year old Maxim Mayorov, taken in the 2007 draft, is also off to a good start.

Jonathan Ericsson should be back in the line-up after missing the past 3 games with injury. Ville Leino finally got back on the scoresheet in his last outings as he added an assist. Mattias Ritola returned to the line-up and scored a goal and had a team high 6 SOG. In-form defenceman Garrett Stafford sat out the last game with an injury and his status is unknown. Justin Abdelkader is in good form having registered a point in 5 of his past 6 outings.

Probable line-up:

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

Ericsson - Stafford
Galvin - Kindl
Kolosov - Pyett

Howard
Larsson

Team Leaders:

Goals: Haydar (10), Abdelkader (9)
Assists: Leino (16), Helm (13)
Points: Leino (21), Helm (20)
Penalty Minutes: Abdelkader (44), Downey (43)

Notes:

• Abdelkader, Kindl and Oulahen are the only players to have appeared in all 26 games.
• Jimmy Howard only has 1 win from his past 7 outings and it remains to be seen who will get the start tonight.

TV/Radio:

Internet stream: Pay-per-view AHL Live

Radio: Grand Rapids Broadcast: Radio feed

Box Score

[sjradio 0]

I think Fraser will go back with Larsson tonight, Jimmy hasn't played well and clearly Larsson has become the number one goalie

Jimmy's got to get himself straightened out.

If you ask me, Larson has probably been the best goalie in the Wings system right now. (Although I don't know how McCollum is doing right now)

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I think Fraser will go back with Larsson tonight, Jimmy hasn't played well and clearly Larsson has become the number one goalie

Jimmy's got to get himself straightened out.

If you ask me, Larson has probably been the best goalie in the Wings system right now. (Although I don't know how McCollum is doing right now)

I’ve kind of lost faith in Howard. It’s his 4th year in the AHL and can you honestly say he’s got better during his time in the league? I don’t think he has. He was an All-Star in his rookie season and this from Detroit Central, “Posted 12-game winning streak in March and won 15 of 16 games during remarkable stretch.” Where’s that Howard gone? I just don’t get it. To be fair I don’t think we can write him off until he’s had a decent shot in the NHL and I think it would be better for him to play in Detroit in front of NHL defenceman and see if he improves. He played well during his short stint in Detroit last season and was good this pre-season, out playing Conklin but they already had their minds made-up.

As for McCollum, he has been nothing short of sensational so far this season for Guelph in the OHL. He starts virtually every game and has some of the best GAA and S% numbers in the league. I think he’s the real deal. We’ve got some legitimately good prospects in net that’s for sure.

[uk_redwing 495]

Will Downey take on Mirasty???

I hope for Downeys sake he doesnt...but I'd love to see it.

[Johnny Law 15]

As for McCollum, he has been nothing short of sensational so far this season for Guelph in the OHL. He starts virtually every game and has some of the best GAA and S% numbers in the league. I think he’s the real deal. We’ve got some legitimately good prospects in net that’s for sure.

I've only seen him play a little but they speak very highly of him on HNIC radio. From what everyone says he looks like he could be a franchise goaltender.

[sjradio 0]

So far Griffins are up 2-0 midway through the first period.

We are outshooting the Crunch 13-1. Howard is in net.

[sjradio 0]

1st over,

2-0

Syracuse's thugs are trying to antagonize Downey.

[uk_redwing 495]

1st over,

2-0

Syracuse's thugs are trying to antagonize Downey.

Downeys gonna kick some ass tonight...already has an assist...he'll go for the gordie howe!

[sjradio 0]

Griffins go up 3-0..

Haydar, Helm, Pare

EDIT

Syrcuse got one back 12 seconds later, Mike York

3-1

[sjradio 0]

LEINO SCORES SHORT HANDED

Bout time he found the back of the net

Griffins lead 4-1 after 2

[sjradio 0]

Abdelkader from Leino and Pyett 15:04-3rd

Griffins lead 5-1!!!

Take note Red Wings, this is what it's like to lead by more than a goal.

[sjradio 0]

Grand Rapids wins 5-1.

Good win against a quality opponent. (even if Syracuse has lost 7 straight)

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Really pleased with Ritola, 2 assists and the 1st star. I assume he was a healthy scratch two games back so he's taken it in stride and has performed well since returning to the line-up. Excellent to see Leino back in form with a goal and an assist and hopefully that gets him going again.

Helm keeps on keeping on and Abdelkader with his 10th of the season. Good game all-round.

[sjradio 0]

Now that Leino has scored a goal for the first time in almost two months, lets hope he can keep it going.

[Coyote0106 2]

We had no Ericsson or Stafford, yet our D was as good as ever. Kolosov was probably the best looking Dman last night.

Our team had trouble setting up on the PP, but once they did, they were able to move the puck around easily, and scored a couple.

I enjoyed having Downey protect Helm tonight. It was a smart move putting them on a line together. With Syracuse giving some behind-the-play cross checks, it was good to give Helm the protection.

Leino did much more than twirl around and throw up a long shot. He was driving the net, going into the boards...and it worked. He needs to not think about the hit, and just go for it.

The real observation here is that Syracuse just looked bad. They weren't doing anything as a team until 6 minutes to go in the game...and that was goon it up.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

We had no Ericsson or Stafford, yet our D was as good as ever. Kolosov was probably the best looking Dman last night.

Our team had trouble setting up on the PP, but once they did, they were able to move the puck around easily, and scored a couple.

I enjoyed having Downey protect Helm tonight. It was a smart move putting them on a line together. With Syracuse giving some behind-the-play cross checks, it was good to give Helm the protection.

Leino did much more than twirl around and throw up a long shot. He was driving the net, going into the boards...and it worked. He needs to not think about the hit, and just go for it.

The real observation here is that Syracuse just looked bad. They weren't doing anything as a team until 6 minutes to go in the game...and that was goon it up.

Real pleasing to hear about Kolosov. +2 for him which indicates he really stood up given greater responsibility. To start the season he was generally considered the 7th defenceman, maybe even 8th but he’s developing quite quickly. I sense another Ericsson here. How was Kindl last night? Seemed to have a rough outing against Manitoba but appeared to bounce back strongly last night.

Liked the line combos last night, having Leino play with two bruisers was a good move and seemed to get him going. If he can start getting hot we’ll be a much more dangerous team offensively. One thing is for sure though; this team is absolutely loaded with offensive talent. I mean you know it’s a deep team when McGrath and Mursak are healthy scratches.

[TheOwl 77]

Hopefully Leino will crack the line up in the Spring, or the Wings may lose him.