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Shine leads Monster Mash in 6-2 victory
Griffins veteran notches a pair of goal to top Cleveland...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
February 25th, 2023
The Griffins were their normal apathetic selves in the first period against the visiting Cleveland Monsters. But after falling behind 2-1 in the first they came to life in the second, exploding for 5 unanswered goals to claim a rare home win. Dominik Shine led the way with a pair of goals (10,11) including the game winner, while the team also got singles from Albert Johansson (4), Elmer Soderblom (5), Joel L'Esperance (18) and Simon Edvinsson (5). Alex Nedeljkovic shut the monsters down the last 40 minutes, making 32 saves for his 9th win of the season.
First Period
Early scoring chance for Grand Rapids, Alex Chiasson with a backhand from the circle and Matt Luff just tipped it wide. Christiansen to the box for tripping and the Griffins had a very ineffectual power play, generating no shots on goal. Soon after it expired Adam Erne went off for cross-checking setting up a Monsters man-advantage. It took the Monsters all of 36 seconds to cash in. All four Griffins collapsed in on net but still allowed Dunne to walk right in and wrist a shot past Nedeljkovic for a 1-0 lead. Tyler Spezia with speed, carried the puck behind the net for a great wraparound chance. Albert Johansson picked up a rebound as he cut around the net, then surprised Cajan with a quick shot from the circle with his back to the net. The goal was his 4th of the season and tied the game at one.
Soderblom was whistled for tripping and Cleveland went back on the powerplay. Nedeljkovic with a big stop on Christiansen, making the initial save and then laid on his back and squeezed the pads together to close off the rebound. The monsters regained the lead off the next faceoff as Fix-Wolansky fired a bullet from the line that cleanly beat Nedeljkovic high, stick side. Late in the period Grand Rapids with the extra skater but turned it over, allowing Richards to have a great shorthanded scoring chance. Richards to the box and GR now 5-on-3. No pressure or possession for the griffins and Cleveland with another dangerous short-handed chance, but they missed the net. Shots on goal: GR 9 - Cle 10.
Second Period
Not sure what was said during the first intermission, but the home team started the second period with much more life and effort than they showed earlier in the game (and the last several games to be honest). Dominik Shine tied the game at two when he converted on a breakaway, wiring a shot in over Cajan's shoulder for a 3-2 lead. Later in the period, Shine gave the Griffins their first lead when he fought his way to the net for a shot, then picked up his own rebound and put it through Cajan's feet. Less than a minute later Elmer Soderblom went in alone, made a nice head and shoulders fake and burned a shot past Cajan to push the lead to 4-2. That was the end of the night for Cajan as Jet greaves came on in relief.
Shots on goal: GR 13 - Cle 6.
Third Period
Shine almost completed the hat trick, as he got behind the defense but was held by Christiansen, drawing a penalty. Taro Hirose with a wrap-around chance and McIsaac had a chance with the rebound. L'Esperance picked up McIsaac's rebound in the slot and jammed it home for a 5-2 lead. Scramble in front of the Griffins net, Ned made the initial save, and then Cleveland crashed the crease and tried to knock it loose. Ned really taking a beating tonight. With the clock ticking down, Cleveland pulled the goalie for an extra attacker. Lots of pressure on the GR net. Simon Edvinsson fired a shot from behind the goal line that sailed over everyone, down the ice and into the center of the empty net for a 6-2 final. Shots on Goal: GR 9 - Cle 18. For the Game: GR 31 - Cle 34.
Starting Lines:
#9 Luff - #56 O'Regan - #39 Chiasson
#25 Soderblom - #17 Hirose - #11 L'Esperance
#73 Erne - #27 Czarnik - #96 Andreasson
#32 Spezia - #90 Riley Sawchukn - #65 Shine
Pairings:
#49 barton - #3 McIsaac
#40 Newpower - #5 Viro
#77 Edvinsson - #33 Johansson
Starter: #34 Nedeljkovic
Backup: #1 Brattstrom
Scratches:
#18 Lashoff
#20 Kampfer
#22 Pearson
#26 Weatherby
#37 Sebrango
#71 Hanas - Out for season
#82 Craggs - Out for season
PP:
#73 Erne - #96 Andreasson - #27 Czarnik
#39 Chiasson - #77 Edvinsson
#9 Luff - #17 Hirose - #11 L'Esperance
#96 Andreasson - #3 McIsaac
PK:
#17 Hirose - #27 Czarnik
#33 Johansson - #40 Newpower
#56 O'Regan - #65 Shine
#77 Edvinsson - #49 Barton
Observations:
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