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Callahan's Pair Leads Griffins Over Barons 4-3
Home losing streak ends at 6 games...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
February 21st, 2014
Mitch Callahan broke the 20 goal plateau for the first time in his career and added another tally for good measure to lead the Grand Rapids Griffins over the visiting Oklahoma City Barons. The Griffins rallied back twice from deficits before Cory Emmerton broke a tie late in the third with his 12th of the season. Returning the favor form yesterdays game, Grand Rapids tallied two powerplay goals and kept the Baron's special teams off the boards. Petr Mrazek notched his win of the season, stopping 36 of 39 shots he faced.
Stretch got things going for the Barons just 18 seconds in when he deflected a shot from the point past Mrazek for a 1-0 lead. Acton and Stretch just about had another one with a golden opportunity in front but Mrazek got a glove on it. Callahan getting his nose dirty in front, picked up a rebound and buried it for his 20th of the season. The goal was originally credit to Jarnkork despite Callahan's celebration for his first 20 goal campaign. Just over a minute later Arcobello beat Paetsch and hit a streaking Pinizotto on the doorstep for a tap in. The Griffins got back to back powerplays and then Pinizotto drilled Pulkkinen from behind into to the boards to set up a long 5-on-3. Shots on Goal: GR 15 - OKC 14.
Mrazek had a couple of spectacular saves early to keep GR on top as Oklahoma City was pressing. Midway through the third Arcobello went to the box for slashing, setting up another Griffins powerplay. Callahan in front picked up the rebound of Almquist's point shot and dragged it back before burying it behind Bachman for his 2nd powerplay goal of the game. A few minutes later the Griffins extended the lead to 3-1. Almquist fired a low shot on net with Parkes in front screening, and the feisty winger tipped it with the heel of his stick just enough to put it inside the post. Shots on Goal: GR 13 - OKC 11.
Callahan, getting under the Barons' skin, got knocked down in the crease during a powerplay. This drew some words and another crosscheck and gave the Griffins another 5-on-3 man advantage. A shot hit Bachman and laid behind him in the paint for an agonizingly long two seconds, but the Griffins couldn't get to it before it was cleared. Arcobello tied the game when he wristed a long shot form the line that appeared to fool Mrazek and went right in under him for a goal. The Griffins found an extra gear as the third went on, gaining some momentum from a pair of penalty kills in the face of the potent Barons offense. Marchenko smoked Arcobello and took the puck away, sending it up ice. Jarnkrok picked off a pass and hit Callahan for a short handed breakaway. He was in all alone, made a little move and rang a shot off Bachman. Emmerton scored the go-ahead goal when he took a pass in the slot and blistered a shot in over Bachman. 2-on-1 with Jarnkrok and Callahan shorthanded, Jarnkrok passed to Callahan who hap a nice rip but Bachman made the save. Grand Rapids becoming very tenacious, and really controlling the puck. The Barons having a hard time getting through center ice with possession. Bachman to the bench for the extra attacker, but GR held tough. Callahan stole the puck and fired it down the ice, hitting the post with his hat-trick bid. The final score GR 4- OKC 3. Shots on Goal: GR 9 - OKC 14. For the Game: GR 37 - OKC 39.
Lines:
Callahan - McIntyre - Tootoo
Hoggan - Emmerton - Ferraro
Pulkkinen - Jarnkrok - Nestrasil
Frk - Aubry - Parkes
Pairings:
Evans - Sproul
Paetsch - Marchenko
Jensen - Almquist
Starter: Mrazek
Backup: McCollum
Scratches:
Ouellet
Grant - Rotating Veteran Scratch
PP:
Nestrasil - Jarnkrok - Callahan
Pulkkinen - Almquist
Hoggan - Emmerton - Ferraro
Sproul - Paetsch
PK:
Callahan - Jarnkrok
Evans - Almquist
Emmerton - Ferraro
Paetsch - Marchenko
Observations:
Glad to get a win at home after the worst streak of the season. Lots of people had good games to get the team there.
Callahan played his normal game, and tonight was rewarded on the scoresheet. He was dangerous all night in all situations and had a team high 6 shots on goal.
We have been down on Almquist the last stretch, but he had a bounce back game last night. The three assists were nice, but he played with more intensity and was much more responsible with the puck in his won end and through the neutral zone.
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