Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 GAME 1 Saturday October 8th, 7:05pm CST Grand Rapids Griffins (0-0-0-0) @ Rockford IceHogs (0-0-0-0) Off-season arrivals: Gustav Nyquist, Trevor Parkes, Landon Ferraro, Louis-Marc Aubry, Mitchell Callahan, Andrei Nestrasil, Garnet Exelby, Chris Connor Preview: The Griffins open their season on the road against the Rockford IceHogs, the Chicago Blackhawks AHL affiliate. The Griffins have re-tooled over the off-season and will be looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008/09. Garnet Exelby will make his Griffins debut against the team he captained last season, and he will be a valuable boost to the Griffins blueline. Gustav Nyquist, who got a taste of the AHL with an 8 game stint late last season, is the biggest acquisition for Grand Rapids and is full of confidence after an outstanding pre-season with Detroit. Chris Conner is expected to make up for some of the offence that departed with Filppula and Tardif, and a host of rookies will be hoping to stick in the AHL. At least 3 or 4 rookies are likely to be in the line-up come opening night, these include Nyquist, Ferraro and Callahan, whereas Parkes, Aubry and Nestrasil are all fighting for playing time. MacDonald will get the start in net, backed up by Jordan Pearce. Thomas McCollum will begin the season in Toledo. Possible line-up: Tatar – Johnson – Pare Nyquist – Andersson – Coetzee Conner – Raedeke – Callahan Ferraro – Aubry – Parkes (Nestrasil, Minard, Estoclat) Smith – Janik Exelby – Pyett Lashoff – Amadio (Piche, Ehrhardt) MacDonald Pearce Media: Box Score Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 Oh just remembered Smith is ineligible for the first 3 games, so I guess Ehrhardt takes his place. Smith won't be able to play a game until the 18th, that sucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Pred 48 337 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 good luck to the boys tonight. lets start off the season with a good performance on the road and with luck 2 points. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 anyone have a stream? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 anyone have a stream? drumj? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Willie Coetzee begins the scoring for GR!! Great shot off a nice pass by none other than Nyquist!! I'm expecting big things from Coetzee this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OzWing19 24 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Willie Coetzee begins the scoring for GR!! Great shot off a nice pass by none other than Nyquist!! I'm expecting big things from Coetzee this season. You called it lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 callahan with his first scrap Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OzWing19 24 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I was gonna ask for Callahan updates before. Really interested to see how he transitions from juniors to the pros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) Griffins lost 3-2. Not a great start to the season. I only caught the first period as I had to go out. The scoring looked like this: 1. GR Coetzee, (1) (Conner, Nyquist), 19:45 (PP) 3. GR Johnson, (1) (Ferraro, Tatar), 13:28 (PP) A few things: - Aubry, Parkes and Callahan made their AHL debuts. Callahan got into a fight. - Coetzee scored his first AHL goal. I actually think he could score 20 goals this season. - Good start by Landon Ferraro with a PP assist, all he needs is confidence and a good run with injuries. Edited October 9, 2011 by Aussie_Wing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted October 11, 2011 Mitchell Callahan VS Andrew Shaw. http://www.nhlfightclub.com/videos/23771/mitchell-callahan-vs-andrew-shaw-oct-8-2011-grand-rapids-griffins-vs-rockford-icehogs-ahl.html 1 Hatcher#2 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hatcher#2 13 Report post Posted October 11, 2011 Mitchell Callahan VS Andrew Shaw. http://www.nhlfightclub.com/videos/23771/mitchell-callahan-vs-andrew-shaw-oct-8-2011-grand-rapids-griffins-vs-rockford-icehogs-ahl.html Thanks, I've been looking for a clip or review since it happened. He did well in his first pro fight, Shaw is a tough kid. It's nice to see he has gained some size aswell, now up to 6'0 190 pounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted October 12, 2011 Thanks, I've been looking for a clip or review since it happened. He did well in his first pro fight, Shaw is a tough kid. It's nice to see he has gained some size aswell, now up to 6'0 190 pounds. he definitely looked bigger thats for sure. i thought he did well also, was throwing haymakers the whole time because he was probably really jacked up. he should settle down now and dominate. if he adds 20 pounds of muscle to that 6 foot frame we are looking at a light heavy chris neil type. love this kid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
