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Griffins Wallop Wolves 5-1
Five different players score in romp...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
November 15th, 2024
The Grand Rapids Griffins remain the stingiest team at home in the AHL, giving up just 8 goals in their 6 home games so far this year as they shut down the visiting Chicago Wolves 5-1 Friday night. In addition to the defensive gem, GR also got goals from five different players to fuel the rout. Amadeus Lombardi added his 6th of the year which was the eventual game winner, while the line of Austin Watson, Nate Danielson and Elmer Soderblom accounted for 7 points on 2 goals and 5 assists. Sebastien Cossa picked up his 7th win of the season, making 21 saves.
First Period
Grand Rapids struck early, just shy of a minute and a half into the game. Elmer Soderblom took the puck to the net with authority and got off a big shot that was blocked by Khazheyev, and Dnielson was in the right place to bury the rebound stick side for a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later they pushed the lead to 2-0 on a great play by William Lagesson. Lagesson with speed into the Wolves zone, went in on net, froze netminder Khazheyev, then skated around him and fed Amadeus Lombardi for an easy goal. For Lombardi that was his 6th of year, bettering last seasons full year total of five. Griffins on the power play with Nadeau in the box for high sticking. Good puck movement by GR but not able to get many shots through to Khazheyev. Tuomisto with a big blast from the point that appeared to beat the Wolves netminder but hit another body before going wide of the net. Wolves 2-on-1 with Tuomisto back, and the towering defender made a great play with his stick to break it up and send the puck back up ice. Elmer Soderblom battling along the boards, managed to clear the puck under pressure, but took a high stick in the process. The Griffins' team defense doing a great time taking away time and space and transitioning to great zone exits. The Wolves tried to crash the crease and make contact with Cossa on the way through, but Cossa used his stick to send the offender flying. Eemil Viro took a digger in the corner, turning over the puck for a dangerous scoring chance on Cossa. Austin Watson took a nice feed from Danielson and then put a bad angle shot form the goal line past Khazheyev for his 2nd of the year.
Shots on goal: GR 11 - Chi 8.
Second Period
The home team pushed the score to 4-0 just over a minute into the second period. William Lagesson came late, swooping up the wing to pick up a juicy rebound from an Elmer Soderblom shot and burying it into the empty side of the net, stick side. The wolves again trying to mount some type of comeback, but the Griffins just doing an excellent job of blocking shots and taking away open ice. Grand Rapids caught a break when one of the few shots that did get through hit the crossbar and stayed out. Joe Snively shot up the middle with the puck and tried to split the Defense, was crunched between two defenders. Lombardi with possession circled the net for a great chance short-side, then picked up the rebound for another point blank chance in front. Sheldon Dries standing in front of the crease tipped a point shot that just went wide of the post. Josiah Didier and Brendan Lemieux got into a bit of a shoving match with Didier somehow drawing the only penalty. It proved to be a costly penalty as Nadeau crept into the circle, back door and stroked a shot into the wide open side of the net to cut the lead to three.
Shots on goal: GR 9 - CHi 9.
Third Period
Snively with speed, sprung up the middle on a breakaway, but fired the puck into Khazheyev's pads. Twenty seconds later Shine and Snively on a 2-on-1 into the wolves end, and Shine went across to Snively for the snipe and a 5-1 lead. Griffins with possession and Dries again camped out in front of the net, tipped another shot just wide. Snively cut in from the circle with the puck and got tripped by the Wolves goalie, then slid awkwardly into the corner. No call on the play, drawing the boo birds in the audience. Traffic in front of Cossa, and he got bumped hard and took a whack at the player who hit him. Shai Buium great defensive play reaching out and taking the puck away to break up an odd man rush. Watson threw a thundering hit in the corner and took out his man. Big drive from Cross Hanas in the circle and Lombardi with a chance at the rebound.
Shots on Goal: GR 11 - Chi 5. For the Game: GR 31 - Chi 22.
Starting Lines:
#71 Hanas - #93 Lombardi - #47 Doucet
#51 Watson - #29 Danielson - #85 Soderblom
#81 Rychlovsky - #11 Seger - #41 Becher
#21 Snively - #15 Dries - #65 Shine
Pairings:
#5 Viro - #4 Tuomisto
#8 Buium - #37 Lagesson
#25 Rafferty - #44 Didier
Starter: #33 Cossa
Backup: #34 Husso
Scratches:
#3 Dello
#22 Wallinder - Injured
#26 Gettinger - Injured
#28 Johannes
#43 Mazur - Injured
PP:
#65 Shine - #29 Danielson - #15 Dries
#21 Snively - #25 Rafferty
#20 Soderblom - #93 Lombardi - #51 Watson
#71 Hanas - #4 Tuomisto
PK:
#15 Dries - #65 Shine
#37 Lagesson - #44 Didier
#51 Watson - #29 Danielson
#25 Rafferty - #8 Buium
Observations:
Cossa continues to look like a monster in net in the early going this year. He is so calm and composed, most of the time it doesn't even look like he is moving, he is just in the right spot and makes the stop. It was also nice to see his feisty side on display as he defended his crease with an aggressive stick, ala Billy Smith of the Islanders. His consistency and focus are what will earn him a shot at the next level, and he is quietly building the resume to get there, maybe sooner than later.
I was a big fan of bringing in Austin Watson during training camp wither for the parent club or a veteran addition to the Griffins, and he has not disappointed. He plays a heavy, grinding game, and clearly has the ability to create offense at this level. He has really clicked on a line with Nate Danielson, and it is sealer that his presence has opened up some room and confidence for the rookie center. Even more so watching all of the subtle coaching moments during stoppages or being a cheerleader on the bench. It is no coincidence that this line has been red hot lately. Danielson has really been on a streak lately and is becoming an impact player at this level already.
William Lagesson missed some time earlier in the season, but has gotten up to speed so to speak. He was very noticeable all night, moving the puck, and jumping into the holes to create offense. He brings a different dimension than most of the Griffins other defenders and he should drive a lot of offense.
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