Game 3 GDT: Hamilton @ Grand Rapids

[Aussie_Wing 354]

GAME 3: Hamilton Bulldogs @ Grand Rapids Griffins

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The series shifts to Van Andel Arena as Hamilton are on the road to battle the Griffins who have a commanding 2-0 series lead after a pair of wins on the road. Grand Rapids won Game 1 4-3 and followed it up by a 3-1 win. Jimmy Howard has been stellar in net and the defence has provided a lot of timely help. Rookie Justin Abdelkader has 5 points in 2 games and each and every point has come in the 3rd period. Justin is once again showing his ability to be a clutch performer.

The next three games are scheduled at Van Andel Arena so the Griffins have a huge oppertunity to finish the series at home. A win tonight would all but guarantee victory but they will need to be focussed and play as well as they have the past two games.

Possible line-up:

Leino - Abdelkader - Haydar
McCarty - Andersson - Ritola
Pare - Gagnon - Lemieux
Downey - Emmerton - Tardif

Stafford - Lashoff
Galvin - Kindl
Kolosov - Josza

Howard
Larsson

Playoff Leaders:

Goals: Abdelkader (3), 4 tied (1)
Assists: Leino (3), Abdelkader, Haydar, Ritola (2)
Points: Abdelkader (5), Leino (4)
PIM: McCarty, Tardif (4)
Plus/Minus: Abdelkader, Leino (3)

[MacK_Attack 108]

Hamilton won 5-4.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Disappointing, conceding 5 goals is just too much.

Looks like we have a real good player on our hands in Lashoff though, and Leino continues to put up the points as does Abdelkader. Defence will need to improve on that performance. Still got a series lead but we must win the next game.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Disappointing, conceding 5 goals is just too much.

Looks like we have a real good player on our hands in Lashoff though, and Leino continues to put up the points as does Abdelkader. Defence will need to improve on that performance. Still got a series lead but we must win the next game.

Especially because Hamilton is bound to get some re-enforcements when the Habs are eliminated on Wednesday.

[uk_redwing 495]

Dont worry, soon Downey will kick into high gear and take the Grifs all the way to the cup!

[Coyote0106 2]

That was a fun game to go to. Downey and Henry came together after a whistle, Downey drops the gloves and Henry immediately skates away. Needless to say, when he ended up in the box soon after I gave him crap for the full 2 minutes.

McCarty was really fired up after his penalty, came out of the box, lit a guy up in the corner then went to the front of the net for the pass to put it in the net. It was a HUGE goal for the team, but then they come out flat to start the second. It seems like the BIG issue last night was effort. They could absolutely dominate Hamilton, then they'd get lax and Hamilton would be all over them. Our D needs to get a little better, too.

[spydrwebb 0]

That was a fun game to go to. Downey and Henry came together after a whistle, Downey drops the gloves and Henry immediately skates away. Needless to say, when he ended up in the box soon after I gave him crap for the full 2 minutes.

McCarty was really fired up after his penalty, came out of the box, lit a guy up in the corner then went to the front of the net for the pass to put it in the net. It was a HUGE goal for the team, but then they come out flat to start the second. It seems like the BIG issue last night was effort. They could absolutely dominate Hamilton, then they'd get lax and Hamilton would be all over them. Our D needs to get a little better, too.

exactly. that inconsistency gave the advantage to hamilton, hands down.

expect the griffs to be reminded that this is a 60 minute effort and no less is acceptable.

this is a disciplined club so i project a much better defensive effort... with special emphasis on closing lanes in the neutral zone. hamilton (even more in 2nd period) seemed to skate through center ice unscathed more times than any member of the griffs may care to admit. the griffs also need to get back to getting pucks on goal instead of setting up and waiting for a pretty play to develop. screw vanity... just get the puck on net and look for chances second and third shot opportunities near the crease.

game 4 has all the makings of a classic showdown and the winner (regardless of the outcome) will likely gain control of this series.

[Zata fan 40 6]

Any sightings of Dick Axelsson?

[spydrwebb 0]

Any sightings of Dick Axelsson?

no

[GROwl 5]

Any sightings of Dick Axelsson?

Look up on the 3rd level of the west side of the arena directly above the Griffins bench. You will usually find most of the healthy scratches and injured players either standing at the rail or sitting at the table up there watching the game. Sometimes Jiri Fischer will join them.