Home
Roster
Depth
The System
Transactions
Message Board
History
Contact Us
Archive
Training Camp
Bulldogs Surge Dumps Griffins 4-1
Bulldogs 4 unanswered goals too much to overcome...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
April 4th, 2014

The Griffins got off to a good start, scoring the first goal of the game, McIntyre's 8th of the season. But it was all Hamilton after that as the Bulldogs scored three straight goals in the first 8 minutes and change of the second period to stun the Griffins and take the win. Grand Rapids seemed sluggish and sloppy for most of the contest, registering only 9 shots on goal in the first thirty minutes. Hamilton added an empty netter late to cap the scoring.

Parkes came out flying, hitting everything with a Bulldogs sweater. He smoked a Hamilton player with a high hit in the slot, knocking him to the ice. Crisp took exception and came over to take the retaliatory penalty. Ferraro had a dangerous chance on a shorthanded breakaway but fired the puck off Tokarski. Late in the period, McIntyre in the deep slot flicked a puck in over Tokarski to open the scoring. Shots on Goal: GR 8 - Ham 10.

Strange play early in the second as the Bulldogs thought they scored but it was waived off, then the puck went in the net and it counted, to knot the score at one. Blunden made it 2-1 when he roared down the middle and ripped a shot in over Mrazek's glove. Tootoo and McIver dropped the gloves in front of the net for a spirited tussle that looked pretty even. Jensen fell down and let Andrighetto get position and score a goal from the circle to extend the lead to 3-1. Parkes got pinched again, playing the body in the corner, he boarded a Bulldogs player drawing a crowd, and another penalty. When he left the box, he got hit for a nice scoring chances, but was interfered with and gave the Griffins their only powerplay of the game. Shots on Goal: GR 10 - Ham 12.

Coach Blashill changed the lines up in the 3rd, trying to find some offense to get his team back in the game. Fournier got checked into the Bulldogs bench and was tossed back out. Nestrasil all over the puck in the offensive zone, stealing it and making plays. Mrazek to the bench with three and a half minutes left and Hamilton scores a quick empty netter to seal the victory. Grant and McIver squared off in front of Tokarski, and the Griffins enforcer seemed to get the better of his opponent in a quick match. Shots on Goal: GR 10 - Ham 5. For the Game: GR 28 - Ham 27.

Lines:
Pulkkinen - Emmerton - Frk/Nestrasil
Hoggan - McIntyre/Ferraro - Tootoo
Ferraro - Nestrasil - Campbell
Grant - Aubry/McIntyre - Parkes

Pairings:
Almquist - Sproul
Evans - Fournier
Jensen - Ouellet

Starter: Mrazek
Backup: McCollum

Scratches:
#1 Paterson
#2 McNulty
#3 Marchenko - Ankle Injury - out for season
#4 Paetsch - Veteran
#9 Hirschfeld
#15 Callahan - Broken Jaw/Facial Injuries - out indefinitely
#17 Nicastro
#49 Nastasiuk

PP:
Frk - Nestrasil - Ferraro
Jensen - Almquist

Hoggan - Emmerton - Pulkkinen
Sproul - Almquist


PK:
Campbell - Emmerton
Evans - Almquist

McIntyre - Ferraro
Jensen - Ouellet

Observations:

Another sloppy game by the Griffins who just didn't look like they were interested in matching the pace the Bulldogs set. The three unanswered goals early in the second proved too much to overcome.

Nice to see the new guy, Campbell get extra ice time and take Callahan's spot on the PK with Emmerton. He had several shots and used his size very well to win the little battles.

Nestrasil looked good, especially in the third. His confidence level is high, and he is trying (and pulling off!) moves that he wasn't earlier in the year. He expects to be a difference maker on the ice, and is.

Pulkkinen was a little quiet tonight, and his line was on the ice for three goals against, a legitimate candidate for AHL rookie of the year, Pulkkinen needs to work through being the main offensive weapon on the team now that Callahan is gone.

Parkes celebrated his first AHL 2 goal game on Wednesday by taking some tough penalties tonight. He is at his best when he is aggressive and banging, but he needs to watch where the line is.

An off night by Mrazek who usually bounces back should make for an interesting contest on Saturday for the rematch.

Mitch Callahan was sitting up with the scratches and didn't look to bad, it was great to see him back in the arena after the brutal injury he suffered on Wednesday. Hopefully he heals quick and can return in a few weeks.


Official Game Sheet