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Griffins Fall Short Against Wolves 4-1
Former Griffin Drew MacIntyre Stars in WinÉ
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
January, 21st, 2011
The Griffins depleted lineup got an unexpected boost with the return of ace netminder Joey MacDonald. Unfortunately it was not enough to overcome a flat third period as former battery mate Drew MacIntyre won the goaltending duel and defeated his former team 4-1. Jamie Johnson scored the only goal for Grand Rapids who played without 7 regulars in the lineup. MacIntyre was voted the games first star, outshining MacDonald, selected number two. Former Griffin Darren Haydar rounded out the stars at number three after scoring the winning goal.
Winger Adam Keefe was very noticeable early, creating energy and being an irritant to the Wolves with his kamikaze style. Pretty even first period, the Wolves had the better chances, but Grand Rapids spent the majority of the time in the Chicago zone. Shots on Goal: GR 13 - Chi 8.
Gr finally got the puck past MacIntyre early in the second, but it was played with an obvious high stick and called back. Johnson had a good chance in front but held on to it to long. A few minutes later Emmerton centered a puck from the corner that glanced off Johnson's skate in front and past MacIntyre for a 1-0 lead. The Wolves got the goal back shortly thereafter when Mahacek corralled a loose puck in front and slid it past MacDonald stick side. Shots on Goal: GR 14 - Chi 8.
The Wolves capitalized on the first powerplay of the game, Haydar converted in the slot giving his team a 2-1 lead. Chicago hemming the Griffins in their own end. Pare had a nice rush but couldn't get it in. Grand Rapids is falling apart late in the game - Chicago is carrying the play. Joey to the bench for the extra skater and the wolves pick up a pair of empty netters to seal the deal. Shots on goal: GR 9 - Chi 11. For the Game: GR 36 - Chi 27.
Lines:
Johnson - Emmerton - Pare
Minard - Raedeke - Filppula
Owens - Andersson - Keefe
Coetzee - Rankin/Raedeke - Andersson
Pairings:
Janik - Meech
Ehrhardt - Amadio
Kolosov - Pyett
Piche
Starter: MacDonald
Backup: #34 Grumet-Morris
Scratches:
Tardif - Concussion
Straub - Knee
Smith - Shoulder
Lashoff - Ankle
McCollum - Finger
PP:
Minard - Emmerton - Filppula
Pare - Meech
Owens - Andersson - Johnson
Pyett - Meech
PK:
Emmerton - Pare
Janik - Meech
Observations:
The boys played well enough to win this one, but just fell part in the third and didn't have the horses to get back into it.
Keefe brought a lot of energy early, but didn't seem to get much ice time the second half of the game.
Piche looked impressive again in limited time.
Cory Emmerton had a good game, creating good scoring chances and playing a strong defensive game.
A great game by Kolosov, maybe his best of the season. He was very good defensively, played with confidence, and showed off some decent speed in getting back to break up plays. He looked mean and got involved ins several scrums. Hopefully this is the start of him regaining his game.
They announced during the game that Greg AMadio had signed a two year extension to keep him in GR through the 2012-13 season. Congrats to Ammo!
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