12/27 GDT: Griffins 2, Monsters 0 @ GR

[sjradio 0]

Lake Erie Monsters (11-13-1-5, 28 points) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (17-7-4-3, 41 points)

@

The Grand Rapids Griffins host the Lake Erie Monsters tonight at Van Andel Arena in what is quickly becoming a major rivalry in the AHL's North Division.

The Griffins had a 4 game win streak snapped with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Peoria Rivermen. Grand Rapids allowed two power play goals on three chances.

Evan McGrath scored two goals in the loss yesterday.

Lake Erie is coming off of a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Marlies at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Monsters are the primary affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

Probable lineup:
Forwards
Leino - Abdelkader - Tardif
Lemieux - McGrath - Pare
Ritola -Emmerton - Haydar
Oulahen - Helm - Downey

Defense:
Ericsson - Jozsa
Kolosov - Pyett
Kindl - Galvin

Goaltenders:
Larsson (starter)
Howard (backup)

Team Leaders:

Goals: Haydar (11)
Assists: Leino (18)
Points: Leino (26)
Penalty Minutes: Downey (56)

Notes:

• Grand Rapids is 2-0-1-0 against the Monsters so far this season,
• The Griffins still managed to hold on to second place in the AHL's North Division with the OT loss, the Griffins trail Manitoba by 1 point, the Moose still have two games in hand.

TV/Radio:

Internet stream: Pay-per-view AHL Live

Radio: Grand Rapids Broadcast: Radio feed

Box Score



Officials:
Referee: Jamie Koharski (#84)
Linesmen: Nick Sosnowski (#90), Fraser McIntyre (#94)

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Looking forward to this game. Heading out within 45 minutes to go get tickets for it. Downey / Boulerice rematch?

[Coyote0106 2]

Looking forward to this game. Heading out within 45 minutes to go get tickets for it. Downey / Boulerice rematch?

Awesome. I'm in 108.

[uk_redwing 495]

Damn you all. Id go to every GR game if I could.

[sjradio 0]

So far a penalty filled first period.

0-0

Shots on goal:

Lake Erie 11

Grand Rapids 13

Larsson is in net for GR

[sjradio 0]

Griffins lead 1-0, 2nd period-

Haydar, (12) (Leino, Kindl), 2:46 (PP)

[sjradio 0]

Make it 2-0

Lemieux, (4) (Haydar, Abdelkader), 3:50 (PP)

[Aussie_Wing 354]

First of all thanks sjradio.

And secondly, how good is Larsson?

Haydar with a 2 point night, hopefully he can start to hit some form.

[sjradio 0]

He's outstanding.

I think you can safely say that Larsson has surpassed Howard so far this season.

BTW, Ironic the Wings are playing the Avs on the same night the Griffins are playing the Avs,

Wings vs. Avs

Wings affiliate vs. Avs affiliate.

[sjradio 0]

Griffins win 2-0

2nd straight shutout for Larsson.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Looks as though the Wings affiliate are the ones that have come to play tonight. Wake up Detroit!

Great win for the Griffins. Thrilled for Larsson who records 2 consecutive shutouts and has got a real nice shutout streak happening. Kindl with an assist so after going pointless last night he's right back on the scoresheet.

The story of the night is Larsson though, wow.

[sjradio 0]

Three Stars

1. GR - 31 Daniel Larsson

2. GR - 20 Darren Haydar

3. GR - 21 Francis Lemieux

BTW Aussie, how'd I do??

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Three Stars

1. GR - 31 Daniel Larsson

2. GR - 20 Darren Haydar

3. GR - 21 Francis Lemieux

BTW Aussie, how'd I do??

Superb job! Much appreciated!

We're currently 1st in the Division (and Conference)! Manitoba are 2-2 with 3 minutes remaining in the 3rd though, so it looks as though they'll get at least 1 point.

[sjradio 0]

Manitoba got the point. a shootout loss to Toronto.

The problem is they are still holding onto that top spot in the north, but when Schneider gets back from Vancouver when Roberto Luongo returns to the Canucks, they are liable to go on a run that could put them a considerable distance ahead of the rest of the division.

We've got them tied in points, but they have 3 more wins, and two games in hand.

[Coyote0106 2]

Larsson was great for us, and Lake Erie didn't show up in the second. That was one of the most dominating performances I've seen out of the Griffins. Bacashua (sp?) was frustrated, and stayed down after one wave of shots as if to send a message to the team. He was hung out to dry the entire period. Cumiskey for LE was frustrated, slammed his stick into the boards, and that knocked it out of hands. So he gets in the bench, and slams the door. He was shaking his head the whole penalty he took right after that...just classic. LE just decided the 2nd period wasn't important. It was very reminiscent of us last year.

Quick props to a couple guys:

McGrath crashed the net every shift, and was a factor.

Ritola had a couple good defensive plays, and had some nice passes. It seemed to be a more defensive game for him tonight.

Emmerton banged bodies all night, and would come out with the puck, too.

Kolosov used his size real well, and flattened a guy in the boards.

Ericsson played another good night, even with his injury. He favors one arm over the other, but still made big plays for the team. He can hopefully keep this up.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Larsson was great for us, and Lake Erie didn't show up in the second. That was one of the most dominating performances I've seen out of the Griffins. Bacashua (sp?) was frustrated, and stayed down after one wave of shots as if to send a message to the team. He was hung out to dry the entire period. Cumiskey for LE was frustrated, slammed his stick into the boards, and that knocked it out of hands. So he gets in the bench, and slams the door. He was shaking his head the whole penalty he took right after that...just classic. LE just decided the 2nd period wasn't important. It was very reminiscent of us last year.

Quick props to a couple guys:

McGrath crashed the net every shift, and was a factor.

Ritola had a couple good defensive plays, and had some nice passes. It seemed to be a more defensive game for him tonight.

Emmerton banged bodies all night, and would come out with the puck, too.

Kolosov used his size real well, and flattened a guy in the boards.

Ericsson played another good night, even with his injury. He favors one arm over the other, but still made big plays for the team. He can hopefully keep this up.

Great to hear. I knew Ritola would rebound after last night, he's worked too hard to start taking nights off and not be disappointed with himself.

I'm intrigued by Kolosov. I've been hearing all season long about how he needs to use his size and make people pay and it seems as though he’s starting to play a more physical game which is great.

And what's the difference when the team plays for Larsson instead of Howard? To me it appears the team plays much better with Larsson in net.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

So I thought I'd give a few thoughts on last night's game. I was sitting 2nd row behind the visitor bench by the isle they come out to play. I ended up talking with Jesse Boulerice for a few. He explained that he wasn't a healthy scratch and he has an injury. So that's why he didn't crack the line-up. I've noticed that when chatting with hockey players, usually the so called 'tough guys' are often the nicest to fans. He was cool.

Alex Penner, who is one scary looking enforcer just called up from ECHL, finally got frustrated a bit with me. I was telling him that Downey was waiting for him. He was chirping with Downey quite a bit at one point from bench to bench. I said to him at the bench 'arne't ya going to scrap'? He finally turned back at me and said, 'why, you wanna go!?' =)

Good performance by Grand Rapids. I must remark, that it seems obvious to me why Leino is still in AAA. He seems to play a very uninspired game imo.