Grand Rapids Griffins Central Logo

Home
Roster
Depth
The System
Transactions
Message Board
History
Contact Us
Archive
Training Camp
RSS Feed
Griffins Reach The End Of The Line With 3-2 Loss
GR bows out of playoffs with nail biting loss...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com

The Griffins turned in their best performance of the series but still fell short, dropping a heartbreaking game 4 to the Manitoba Moose. Jakub Kindl scored his first of the playoffs, shorthanded to open the scoring, but the Moose took advantage of a series of Griffins penalties to score three unanswered goals. Jamie Tardif cut the lead to one late in the third, but the home team could not complete the rally to extend the series. Jimmy Howard gave up three goals on the first 10 shots he faced on the way to absorbing the loss.

Grand Rapids was ready to go at the drop of the puck, playing with more intensity and fire than the last game. It eventually paid off as Jakub Kindl ripped a shot from the point that went in off Schneider's glove and popped the water bottle for a shorthanded goal. The joy was short lived however, as Tardif was whistled off for tripping, setting up a 5-on-3 Moose powerplay. Krog was camped out at the side of the net and received a cross crease pass from Cullen and wristed it over Howard. The Griffins were in penalty trouble for the rest of the period, but managed to escape without further damage. Justin Abdelkader left the penalty box and smoked Jaffrey behind the net to end the period. Shots on Goal: GR 8 - Man 7.

The second period was all Manitoba as the Moose opened up a big lead. Just over a minute in, Desbiens picked up the puck in the slot and ripped it past a surprised Howard to make it 2-1. then five minutes later Cullen made it 3-1 when he snaked a shot through traffic past Howard for another powerplay goal. Jimmy stopped Jaffrey on a breakaway a few minutes later drawing a sarcastic cheer from the crowd. Shots on Goal: GR 8 - Man 9.

Peterson cut the lead to one at the thirteen minute mark of third with a great individual effort. The speedy blueliner, making his playoff debut, carried the puck deep into the Manitoba zone, circled the net, and centered the puck to a waiting Tardif who jammed it home. Grand Rapids threw everything they had a Schneider, putting on a shooting gallery, but could not get the equalizer. Jimmy was lifted for the extra attacker, setting up a good flurry of chances, but time ran out on the game, and the season. Shots on Goal: GR 16 - Man 4. For the Game: GR 32 - Man 20.

Lines:
Leino - Abdelkader - Haydar
Mursak - Gagnon - Downey
Tardif - Andersson - McCarty
Lemieux - Pare - Emmerton

Pairings:
Kolosov - Stafford
Peterson - Kindl
Jozsa - Galvin

Starter: Howard
Backup: Larsson

Scratches:
Oulahen - Hip
McGrath - Shoulder
Lashoff - Concussion
Ritola
Charleston
Pyett
Pearce
Walsh

PP:
Leino - Abdelkader - McCarty/Tardif
Haydar - Stafford

Lemieux - Pare - Emmerton
Kindl - Haydar

PK:
Leino/Mursak - Abdelkader
Kolosov - Stafford

McCarty/Tardif - Andersson
Jozsa - Galvin

Tardif/Haydar - Gagnon

Observations:

The third period was great. I was on the edge of my seat for most of it as the Griffins had chance after chance but could not get it done.

Emmerton tried to play a physical game, throwing his weight around, but needs to add some muscle.

Mursak did a great job, especially on the PK, bring good energy. He was hitting people every shift and really sacrificing his body.

Abdelkader was very noticeable, but looked to be frustrated at his inability to make something happen on the scoreboard.

Kindl had another brutal night, even with the goal. He gave the puck away time and again and just didn't seem to know what to do around his own net.

Brett Peterson was perhaps the player of the game, and had a great night. His speed and size were very noticeable for GR and he was solid in his won end.

The Two Frankie's had several good chances, using their aggressive forecheck to create turnovers.


Official Game Sheet