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Glendening, Griffins Rip Rochester 4-2 Grand Rapids native scores first goal on first AHL shift... By Jason Kasiorek www.griffinscentral.com December 19th, 2012
The hometown Grand Rapids Griffins got an unexpected boost from a home town hero, Luke Glendening, who became the first Grand Rapids native to suit up for the team. He also got things started off right notching his first goal just 2:49 into the game on his first shift. The rest of the team followed suit and showed character by holding off two Rochester rallies to end a two game losing streak. Rookie netminder Petr mrazek made 19 saves for his 8th win of the season. In addition to Glendening, the Griffins also got tallies from Hoggan (3), Andersson (7) and Pare (9).
Glendening picked up his first AHL goal on his first shift, stuffing home the rebound of a Grant shot right on the doorstep. Nyquist had a dangerous scoring chance on a breakaway but passed to Tatar who didn't have a good shot. The Amerks scored on the only powerplay of the first period when Varone pounced on a loose puck in front and snuck it into the net. Hoggan gave the Griffins the lead again when he carried the puck into the circle, picked his spot and lasered a shot in over Knapp for his 3rd of the season. Shots on Goal: GR 15 - Roc 6.
Brennan tied things again about 6 minutes into the second when he roofed a shot from the line that just found its way in under the crossbar for a powerplay marker. Smith took a high-stick behind the play and was down and out for quite a while. Andersson gave the Griffins the lead for good midway through the third when he batted a Paetsch point shot out of the air and behind Knapp to make it 3-2. Grant and Tarnasky went at it in front of the penalty box with grant taking the decision. Late in the period Evans and Foligno came to blows in a grappling match. Evans appeared to land the majority of them. Shots on Goal: GR 10 - Roc 7.
Not much excitement in the third as the Griffins killed off the only penalty of the period. Late in the contest, Knapp was summoned to the bench for an extra skater and Pare hit the empty net for a 4-2 Grand Rapids win. Shots on Goal: GR 7 - Roc 8. For the Game: GR 32 - Roc 21.
Lines:
Tatar/Pare - Andersson - Nyquist
Pare - Sheahan - Jurco
Hoggan - Ferraro - Nestrasil
Grant - Glendening - Callahan
Tatar - Ferraro - Sheahan
Pairings:
Paetsch - Smith
Almquist - Lashoff
Evans - Billins
Starter: Mrazek
Backup: McCollum
Scratches:
Raedeke
Parkes
Aubry
Fournier
Nicastro
PP:
Tatar - Andersson - Nyquist
Smith - Billins
Pare - Sheahan - Jurco/Ferraro
Paetsch - Almquist
PK:
Ferraro - Andersson
Paetsch - Smith
Andersson - Callahan
Almquist - Evans
Sheahan - Ferraro
Observations:
Great night for the first GR native to suit up with the Griffins as he scored on his first shift in his first game. He brought a lot of energy and really changed the complexion of the fourth line. If he can keep it up, he could find a home in this lineup.
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