10/15 GDT: Grand Rapids @ Texas Stars

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Grand Rapids Griffins (1-1-0-0) @ Texas Stars (2-1-0-1)
7:30 pm CDT

The Grand Rapids Griffins are again on the road as they take on the Texas Stars. This is their third game of the season and have split their previous two games. Tomas Tatar has been a healthy scratch in the opening two games and while he isn't a certainty to play tonight he should (fingers crossed) make his debut. Perhaps they are waiting to be back at home for Tatar to make his debut but surely now is as good a time as any. The offence has been lacking a tad as has the PP as the Griffins are converting at 11.1% (1 from 9). Throw in Tatar's skill and that might stand to change, although Texas are a perfect 14 from 14 on the PK. Maybe the Wings could learn a thing or two...

Texas have a number of former Griffins in their line-up including centre Aaron Gagnon, livewire forward Landon Wilson and point producing defenceman Garrett Stafford. As a result there could be some intriguing battles in this game and the Griffins need to win to keep a positive W/L ratio from their 5 game road trip to start the season. Expect to see a reasonably low scoring affair as Texas have been stingy and interestingly enough despite their record they have been outshot in every game.

Projected lines:

Ritola - Newbury - Williams
Lemieux - McGrath - Pare
Axelsson - Emmerton - Tardif
Crosty - Vigilante - Tatar

(Mursak/Walsh)

Kindl - Janik
Kolosov - Delmore
Pyett - Ehrhardt

(Piche)

Larsson
McCollum

Individual Leaders:

Goals: Axelsson, Delmore, McGrath, Janik, Williams (1)
Assists: Axelsson, Pare, Tardif, Ritola (1)
Points: Axelsson (2), 7 tied (1)
PIM: Crosty (7), Mursak, Newbury (6)
Plus/Minus: 9 tied (+1)

Notes:

* Not sure who gets the start tonight, Larsson started the previous game and might go tonight but McCollum deserves another after his strong debut.
* Tomas Tatar should (for the THIRD time!) make his debut tonight.

TV/Radio:

Internet stream: Pay-per-view: AHL Live
Grand Rapids Radio Broadcast: Wood Radio
AHL Scores page: Scores

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Looks like Tatar won't play again tonight, something with visa issues and him currently being in Toronto? Not sure exactly, but don't expect him to play tonight. Hopefully Mursak gets another game.

Game underway in about 40 minutes.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Scoreless after 1. Griffins outshooting Texas 8-5, McCollum in net.

Kindl not playing. Has to be injured.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Very tight game, they need to pull out a victory or at the very least a point after their last minute loss to Toronto. Griffins outshot 12-10 that period, McCollum having a fine game. The future!

Delmore with 6 SOG, Ritola next best with 3.

Griffins need to stay out of the box, 4 minor penalties that period, one a carry over PP.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

And they've done it again...

Goal with 1:33 remaining in the 3rd.

McCollum 29 saves on 30 shots, not going to be enough on a side that is really struggling to generate any offence. That's what happens when a side loses 4 of it's 6 highest point scorers from the previous season, or 7 from 11.

Struggle street this season? Goaltending is actually the strength.

[Vladifan 680]

Aussie, we were there and had a fine time. Except for the Griffins' loss. They played really good D most of the game, although their passing needs work. I wore my Konstantinov jersey and I thought it would work, but neeeuuooo.

We sat right behind the Stars' bench which was not ideal, but now I know why some of them were staring at my jersey. The ex-Wings' names you mentioned who now play for the Stars played great and were on the ice a LOT. Says something for the Wings' system, too, ya know? Of course you do!

As I said on the Wings/Kings' thread, we were looking for Tatar and now we know why he wasn't there. Kind of...! They could really use him, methinks. McCollum did indeed look great positionally and except for the flurry of shots (PLUS the one-sided calls by the refs) by the Stars at the end of the game, it was a great game.