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Admiral Sink Griffins 2-1
MacIntyre edges Larsson in goaltending duel...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com

Former Griffin Drew MacIntyre narrowly edged Daniel Larsson in an old fashioned goalie duel. The game remained scoreless for 57 minutes and 56 seconds before erupting for three goals in less than two minutes. Admirals defenseman Cody Franson finally solved Larsson during a Darren McCarty penalty late in the game, and then added an empty netter in the last minute of play. Ville Leino broke the shutout with 15 seconds left in the game, converting a McCarty pass in front. Larsson was spectacular in the loss making 19 saves including several dangerous scoring chances.

Grand Rapids came out strong and controlled the play for most of the period. Darren Helm had some unbelievable possession and control on the PK, highlighting some solid effort by the Griffins shorthanded unit all gam long. Ramholt tripped Helm along the boards which drew Aaron Downey over for a little talk. Milwaukee answered by sending hulking Hugh Jessiman over, and it looked like something might happen. Cooler heads prevailed however and Downey stared him down before skating away. MacIntyre lost his stick on the ensuing powerplay, but GR couldn't convert. Shots on Goal: GR 11 - Mil 3.

The usual second period letdown was right on time as the team sagged noticeably. case in point was an abysmal Griffins powerplay where the Ads not only out-shot them, but also had three dangerous scoring chances to none for the home team. Late in the period Downey Limped off the ice after a big hit, and could barely get over the boards to leave the ice. Shots on Goal: GR 10 - Mil 7.

The Griffins started out the third in the same fashion, seemingly unable to get the puck out of their own end, but eventually things evened out. McCarty was whistled off on a cheap penalty with 3:44 left in the game, setting up an Admiral's powerplay. Abdelkader had a short handed breakaway, but ran out of room, and backhanded it over the net. Franson took a perfect back door pass and broke the shutout with just over two minutes remaining. Ritola had a chance to tie it up, but missed a wide open net and shortly thereafter, Franson scored into the vacated Griffins net from his own blueline. Larsson back to the bench with possession and Leino cuts the lead to one with a shot from the slot with 15 seconds on the clock. The Griffins just about tied it as the horn went, but couldn't get it past MacIntyre. Shots on Goal: GR 8 - Mil 11. For the Game: GR 29 - Mil 21.

Lines:
Leino - Abdelkader - McCarty
Ritola - Gagnon - Haydar
Lemieux - Pare - McGrath
Oulahen - Helm - Downey

Pairings:
Kolosov - Stafford
Kindl - Pyett
Peterson - Galvin

Starter: Larsson
Backup: Howard

Scratches:
Jozsa Atherton Emmerton Mursak - Not eligible Tardif - Knee

PP:
Leino - Abdelkader - McCarty
Haydar - Stafford

Lemieux - Pare - McGrath
Kindl - Haydar

Ritola - Helm - Oulahen

PK:
Oulahen - Gagnon
Kolosov - Stafford

Helm - Leino
Kindl - Galvin

Abdelkader - Haydar/Ritola

Observations:

Pyett was back in the lineup after missing the last few games and seemed to play with a little more energy and desperation. He still needs to use his big shot more as he continues to defer to other teammates when he should just tee it up.

If our patchwork defense wasn't in such bad shape I would say Kindl could do with a night off. He looks panicked with the puck and continues to make bad fundamental plays. A sure sign that he is gripping the stick to tight is the offensive drought he has been in the last few weeks.

Darren McCarty still has the hands and instincts but looks very sluggish skating up ice, even more so than last season.

Daniel Larsson had a strong outing and deserved a better ending. He was in position on every shot and didn't have to scramble around in the crease. He certainly looks on top of his game, with no excuses about bad ice.


Official Game Sheet