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Marlies Get Their Revenge in 3-1 Griffins Defeat
Fluky empty net goal proves costly for Grand RapidsÉ
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
December 29th, 2012
The Toronto Marlies got a small measure of revenge by coming out on the right end of a 3-1 decision over the Grand Rapids Griffins. They may not have been there if not for a fluky play which saw the Griffins netminder head to the bench thinking there was a delayed penalty on the Marlies only to find out it was on his own team. The Marlies scored an empty net goal and never looked back, scoring two more goals including another empty net goal. Gustav Nyquist scored the only Griffins goal, his 10th of the season.
The Griffins got on the board less than a minute into the game on a goal by Nyquist. Tatar hit Nyquist at the line and the crafty center sped into the circle and ripped a shot in over Rynnas, glove side. Billins negated a Griffins powerplay with a bad interference penalty. Ferraro with a sick move to go inside-outside and walk around a defender right to the net, but Rynnas made the stop. Shots on Goal: GR 11 - Tor 12.
A big miscommunication led to the first Marlies goal. The referee signaled a delayed penalty and both goalies left their cages for the bench. McCollum guessed wrong and the three man rush ended up with Ashton scoring into the empty net to tie the game at one. Grand Rapids had a great chance to regain the lead, with a long 5-on-3 powerplay, but really was unable to generate any real dangerous chances. Shots on Goal: GR 13 - Tor 5.
The Marlies took their first lead of the game early in the third when Hamilton in the high slot took a pass from behind the net and slammed it home. The Griffins did not generate many chances in the third and were unable to capitalize on a last powerplay. McCollum stayed on the bench after a late timeout for an extra skater. The puck was cleared into the Griffins end and Almquist lost it behind the net allowing Hamilton to score an empty netter to cap the game at 3-1. Shots on Goal: GR 4 - Tor 7. For the Game: GR 28 - Tor 24.
Lines:
Grant - Glendening - Callahan
Tatar - Andersson - Nyquist
Pare - Sheahan - Ferraro/Jurco
Aubry - Ferraro - Jurco
Hoggan - Ferraro - Aubry
Pare - Glendening - Jurco
Pairings:
Evans - Billins
Paetsch - Smith
Almquist - Lashoff
Starter: McCollum
Backup: Mrazek
Scratches:
Parkes
Fournier
PP:
Tatar - Andersson - Nyquist
Smith - Billins
Pare - Sheahan - Ferraro/Jurco
Paetsch - Almquist
PK:
Ferraro - Andersson
Paetsch - Smith/Almquist
Sheahan - Callahan
Lashoff - Evans
Sheahan - Ferraro
Glendening - Sheahan
Observations:
Tough loss for GR as they really had outplayed the Marlies early. The miscue on the delayed penalty really took a lot of life out of the team and they weren't the same in the latter stages of the game.
Jurco was back in the lineup tonight and was very noticeable. He had a couple of good chances and played with a lot of intensity. He also returned the balance to the lineup, making all 4 lines look dangerous.
Callahan a good game, especially defensively. He saw some shifts on the PK and did a great job of getting his stick in the lanes.
Lashoff had a big game and really used his size well. He had some big hits and really outmuscled several Marlies forwards who tried to go to his side of the ice.
Tatar was dangerous all night using his seed to make plays. He had several quality chances and really looked like he was working hard.
Ferraro continues to shine, and I can't say enough about his play on the penalty kill. He has jaw dropping moves that he seems to be gaining confidence in using and you would think if he enjoyed a scorer on his wing, his numbers may even more gaudy that they are now.
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