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Admirals Outwork - Outscore Griffins 3-2
Lack of 60 minute effort costs griffins again...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
October 22nd, 2010
The Griffins found out the hard way that it takes a sixty minute effort to win games in the AHL. The team had a hard time finding its energy until late in the game, and couldn't overcome early defensive mistakes, losing to Milwaukee 3-2. Cory Emmerton scored his second of the season, on the powerplay for the Griffins, while Jan Mursak scored his second of the campaign on a beautiful shorthanded breakaway in the third. Joey MacDonald made 22 saves, holding the fort against some dangerous barrages, but gave up a weak goal in the first that killed the Griffins momentum.
Pretty even pace, but Milwaukee had the more dangerous chances early. Emmerton got the puck in the slot on the powerplay and slid it past dekanich to to put Gr up 1-0. Milwaukee had a great chance on the powerplay but rolled it just wide. Owens to the box for a 5-on-3 and merchant broke his stick off the face-off. Lundmark chipped the shot in over MacroMaker shoulder to knot the score at one. Thuresson put the puck past a stunned MacDonald just after a griffins powerplay expired. It was a weak goal, one the veteran netminder would probably like back. Big hit and a couple of admirals tried to get at a willing Owens. Tarsus was sticked by Thang towards the end of the period and took offense, but cooler heads prevailed. A little scuffle between the benches broke out after the whistle. Shots on Goal: GR 9 - Mil 9.
Straub appears to be an effective deterrent to cheap shots on the griffins players, as no admiral seems to want to mess with him. Gr can't seem to get much going in the first half of the period. Milwaukee way to much time and possession in our end. The griffins look disorganized and a little flat. Strong shift for the fourth line, and things starting to turn around for grand rapids late in the period. Shots on Goal: GR 17 - Mil 18.
Mursak picked the Ads defenders pocket and was off to the races on a full on a shorthanded breakaway. He rifled a shot past Dekanich midway stick side. Klasen regained the lead a minute later, just after the powerplay expired, when he got a puck alone in the slot and lasered a shot in over Mac. Tardif causing havoc around the net, then jumped in when Minard was getting roughed up. The hitting is really picking up the last ten minutes of the third, and Grand Rapids is going to the net often. Scrums breaking out after every whistle. Raedeke took two admirals to the box with him, giving the griffins a powerplay with 5:47 left on the clock. Not much to show for the powerplay then Smith took a penalty leaving GR short for most of the rest of the game. Great shorthanded chances by Owens, but couldn't capitalize. MacDonald to the bench for the extra attacker and the Griffins got a couple of great chances but couldn't get the equalizer. Shots on goal: GR 9 - Mil 7. For the Game: GR 26 - Mil 25.
Lines:
Tatar - Johnson - Pare
Mursak - Emmerton - Filppula
Minard - Andersson - Tardif
Owens - Raedeke - #20 Straub
Pairings:
#26 Meech - Lashoff/Ehrhardt
Kolosov - Smith
Amadio - Ehrhardt/Lashoff
Starter: MacDonald
Backup: McCollum
Scratches:
Coetzee
Pyett - Hip
Piche
PP:
Owens - Johnson - Tatar
Meech - Pare
Mursak - Emmerton - Filppula
Pare/Lashoff - Smith
Minard - Andersson - Tardif
Minard - Johnson - Tardif
PK:
Andersson - Tardif
Meech - Lashoff
Owens - Raedeke
Ehrhardt - Smith/Amadio
Minard/Pare - Johnson
Emmerton - Mursak
Observations:
The first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes were good, but they looked like they were sleepwalking most of the rest of the game. If we could find a way to play the second period like we do the last 10 minutes of third, we would be world beaters.
Travis Ehrhardt played a strong game, rushing the puck up ice, showing off some great wheels and looking very confident. He was moved up the second half of the game, seeing some shifts with Meech and getting extra ice time.
Brendan Smith did some good work on special teams and moved the puck very well. he looked confident and poised and defense, but took a couple of costly penalties.
Cory Emmerton was very involved in the offense tonight. He looked dangerous with and without the puck, but like most of the team, disappeared for awhile in the middle.
Owens played an aggressive game and seemed to get better as time went on. He showcased his speed and hands on the penalty kill, creating dangerous chances out of nothing. He along with captain Tardif were two of the only player to play the body, and he had several Admirals chasing him around.
Jamie Tardif had a great night, working hard as usual. He created havoc around the Ads net, forcing turnovers and taking shots from all angles to keep them hemmed in their own zone. He had several good chances and was involved physically both along the boards and in the scrums.
Brian Lashoff was a little jittery early on, but seemed to settle down as the game went on, and really looked strong in the third.
Minard still hasn't scored yet, but not for lack of effort. He worked really hard along the boards and took a hit to make a play several times.
Joey was strong in the net and made several great saves, but it was the one that got away to Thuresson that everyone will remember about tonight. He simply has to stop those.
Filppula made a lot happen with the puck tonight, but really didn't have much to show for it in the way of quality chances.
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