12/30 GDT: Griffins 3, Rivermen 1 @ PEO

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Grand Rapids Griffins (18-7-4-3) @ Peoria Rivermen (19-13-1-1)

@

The Grand Rapids Griffins hit the road to take on the Peoria Rivermen who they lost to in OT on Friday. The Griffins have won 5 of their past 6 games and have taken at least a point from their past 6 outings. They are currently tied for the lead in the North Division with the Manitoba Moose with 43 points.

With his SO in the previous game, Larsson became the sixth Griffins goalie to log back-to-back shutouts. His four shutouts tie for the AHL lead and his shutout streak now stands at 120:19, less than two periods shy of the team record (153:58) set by Marc Lamothe. Darren Helm sat out the past game with a slight injury but should return for tonight's game.

Possible line-up:

Leino - Abdelkader - Tardif
Lemieux - McGrath - Pare
Ritola - Emmerton - Haydar
Oulahen - Helm - Downey

Ericsson - Pyett
Galvin - Kindl
Kolosov - Jozsa

Larsson
Howard

Team Leaders:

Goals: Haydar (12), Ritola, Abdelkader, Helm (10)
Assists: Leino (19), Kindl (16)
Points: Leino (27), Haydar, Helm (25)
Penalty Minutes: Downey (56), Abdelkader (49)

Notes:

• Ville Leino is on a 3 game point streak (3G, 1A).
• Jakub Kindl has 10 points from the past 10 games and is 5th in defenceman scoring.

TV/Radio:

Internet stream: Pay-per-view AHL Live

Radio: Grand Rapids Broadcast: Radio feed

Box Score

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Well unfortunately Larsson's shutout streak was put to end with a Peoria goal early in the second period.

Scored is tied at 1 5 minutes into the second.

Edit: Make that 2-1! Hayder from Kindl on the PP.

[sjradio 0]

I really like how Tardif scores just 8 seconds in to start the game.

"Welcome to the Peoria Civic Center for tonight's game between the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Peoria Rivermen... Before the national anthem. Grand Rapids Goal by number 23 Jamie Tardif, assisted by Darren Helm at 8 seconds.

[sjradio 0]

I just checked the record book

That goal by Tardif set the Griffins franchise record for fastest goal to start a game.

Old record was 12 seconds by Nate Dicasmirro on 11/15/05 against Manitoba. (I believe that was an afternoon game on Tuesday, for the "Kids Day")

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Yeh I had to look twice at that, 0:08.

Larsson stopped a penalty shot according to the box score, interesting. He's certainly been rock solid once again.

[uk_redwing 495]

Wooo Tardif. My fighting bias means he gets a major from me.

[FinRedWing 172]

Looks like a couple of W's tonight.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Larsson continues to amaze. 40 saves tonight as the Griffins win 3-1.

Some great form they've got going. Manitoba are down 5-2 so it looks as though the Griffins will lead the Division.

[sjradio 0]

And the Griffins DO lead the North Division thanks to the Wolves beating the Moose 6-2 tonight, the Moose still have a game in hand

1. GR 33 GP - 19W - 45 Pts.

2. MTB 32 GP - 21 W - 43 Pts.

[Coyote0106 2]

...

Larsson stopped a penalty shot according to the box score, interesting. He's certainly been rock solid once again.

That is great! It's good to see him improving all aspects of his game. Maybe we'll see a SO win now?