12/31 GDT: Griffins 6, Chops 0 @ GR

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Iowa Chops (18-11-2-2) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (18-7-4-3)

@

The Iowa Chops come to Van Andel Arena to take on the North Division leading Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins took over sole place of 1st in the Division with last nights 3-1 victory. The Griffins have taken a point from each of their past 7 matches, winning 6 in the process. Iowa are also in good form having taken a point from their past 3.

Daniel Larsson's shutout streak may have ended last night but his impressive play continued. He saved a season high 40 shots and is now ranked 4th in S%, 5th in GAA and tied for 1st in SO. He is enjoying a fine rookie season, but Howard should get the start tonight to avoid back-to-back games for the red hot Larsson. Darren Haydar is on a 4 game point streak and Jakub Kindl has 11 points in the past 11 games.

Possible line-up:

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

Ericsson - Jozsa
Galvin - Kindl
Kolosov - Pyett

Howard
Larsson

Team Leaders:

Goals: Haydar (13), Ritola, Abdelkader, Helm (10)
Assists: Leino (19), Kindl (17)
Points: Leino (27), Haydar, Helm (26)
Penalty Minutes: Downey (58), Abdelkader (53)

Notes:

• The Griffins are tied for 1st place in the Western Conference.
• Cory Emmerton is without a point from the past 5 games.

TV/Radio:

Internet stream: Pay-per-view AHL Live

Radio: Grand Rapids Broadcast: Radio feed

Box Score

[j.hoop 64]

go griffs! keep up the strong play. i wanna see us keep up strong playoff contention. i dont really follow the other teams, but are we in the top 5 of teams around the league? i want that calder cup

[sjradio 0]

Griffins lead 1-0 after the first

Frankie Pare (9) from Frankie Lemieux at 5:35

[sjradio 0]

2-0

Ritola 11th of the seasn from Leino and Abdelkader on the PP

AND OULAHEN JUST MAKES IT 3-0

[sjradio 0]

Oulahen, (8) (Lemieux, Stafford), 5:29-2nd

Howard is in net

[Aussie_Wing 354]

That line of Lemieux-McGrath-Pare really is something special. Lemieux had 1 point in his first 12 games, from his past 7 he has 8.

Howard appears to be having a strong game tonight. Is this team in the zone right now or what?!

[sjradio 0]

Griffins just scored two quick ones.

Lemieux got the 4-0 goal

and McGrath just got the 5-0 goal... They are playing the Hawaii 5-0 theme.

Lemieux from Pare at 3:46

and Galvin Unassisted at 4:12. (that may change though)

EDIT, goal 5 to McGrath (8) from Galvin at 4:12

[sjradio 0]

Griffins score with 2.8 seconds left. 6-0 - a little salt in the would of the Chops... (or it that seasoning)

Ericsson (Emmerton, Tardif), 19:57 (PP) at 19:57. His first of the season

Howard with the 24 save shutout

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Over the past 8 games the Griffins have outscored opponents 33-9. 9 goals allowed in 8 games!

They are absolutely on a tear right now. Everyone is contributing, goaltending has improved significantly. Over the past 6 games Howard and Larsson have recorded two shutouts each.

[sjradio 0]

They also have only allowed 5 goals in the last 6 games.

They have 5 shutouts this season, and it's the second best start in Griffins franchise history.

[uk_redwing 495]

Its all Downey.

[sjradio 0]

A great performance by the Griffins after a rough 7 hour bus ride back from Peoria on Tuesday night, I live along the lake in SW Michigan and know what they were facing for the last 100 miles of the trip back.

Roads were icy, snow was really blowing hard.

[Kronner55 1]

I attended this game & thought I'd share some pix. Truly was a fun game to watch.

Jimmy Howard

Jonathan Ericsson

Jakub Kindl

Francis Pare

Jonathan Ericsson

Aaron Downey

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Awesome pics!

Ericsson sure is a man mountain and Downey having a bit of a discussion there?

[GROwl 5]

The discussion between Downey and #33 occurred during warm ups. They first skated by each other and tapped sticks at center ice - like former teammates. A few minutes later they stretched out next to each other and gabbed like two old women in the grocery store.