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Colossal Collapse Dooms Griffins to 6-4 Loss
Penalty problems and five unanswered goals to much to overcome...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
October 26, 2012
The Griffins started out hot, attacking the Checkers net and scoring four goals in the first 21 minutes of the game. But things fell apart shortly thereafter as a series of penalties including a very costly boarding major to Trevor Parkes set up an unlikely comeback by Charlotte. The Checkers scored three goals on that powerplay and a small part of a 5-on-3 with Billins in the box to break the game open en rout to five unanswered goals and a 6-4 win. Tatar (2), Aubry (1), Nyquist (3) and Pare (2) scored for the Griffins while McCollum stopped 24 of 29 shots in the loss.
Early in the first, Tatar took the puck to the front of the net and wristed a bullet in over Peters for a goal. A jubilant celebration followed for a very happy goal scorer. Nicastro got his bell rung and looked very shaky leaving the ice and heading to the room. The Checkers were on a delayed penalty and Nyquist came out for an extra attacker. Aubry in front redirected Nyquist's point shot into the top of the cage for a 2-0 lead. Pare had a great chance but the puck ended up on top of the net but not in it. Charlotte called a time out to slow things down as the Griffins are in control attacking the net in waves. Junco almost scored on a great wraparound attempt, showing off an extra gear. Bowman stroked a low shot from the circle that beat McCollum cleanly low for a powerplay marker. Nyquist finished off a nice passing play, sliding the puck past Peters, low glove side. Great defensive play by Paetsch to breakup a nice breakaway chance without taking a penalty. Tatar to the box for a four-minute high-sticking penalty. The Griffins penalty killers come up huge, killing off the penalty while maintaining possession for almost as long as Charlotte. Shots on Goal: GR 8 - CHA 9.
Pare blazed in and picked his spot, letting a shot go that beat Peters glove side. That was the end for him as he went to the bench in favor of Ellis. Parkes was assessed a major for boarding which the Griffins short again. Sheahan had a dangerous shorthanded break but fired the puck just wide. Billins went to the box to set up a five on three. Samson buried a back door pass to start a scoring surge for the Checkers. Less than a minute later Faulk lifted a shot from the circle in over McCollum. Soon thereafter Boychuk streaked in on McCollum and roofed a shit to tie the game at four. Evans and Blanchard squared off but not much came of it before Blanchard went to the ice. Shots on Goal: GR 6 - CHA 11.
McCollum lackadaisically went out of the crease after a puck and gave it up for a point blank scoring chance. He managed to get in the way just enough to draw a whistle. The Griffins turned the puck over on the powerplay and watched Terry pick it up fire a long shot from the slot over McCollum for their first lead of the game. Smith went down over by the penalty box and left the ice in pain, holding his face. The Griffins called a time-out and kept McCollum on the bench for an extra skater with a minute and a half left on the clock. Another GR turnover led to an empty netter by Terry, putting the cap on five unanswered goals. Shots on Goal: GR 10 - CHA 10. For the Game: GR 24 - CHA 30.
Lines:
Tatar - Andersson - Nyquist
Parkes - Sheahan - Jurco
Grant - Aubry - Callahan
Hoggan - Ferraro - Pare
Pairings:
Paetsch - Smith
Nicastro - Lashoff
Billins - Evans
Starter: McCollum
Backup: Pearce
Scratches:
Raedeke
Almquist
Fournier
PP:
Tatar - Andersson - Nyquist
Smith - Billins
Hoggan - Ferraro - Pare
Paetsch - Lashoff
PK:
Aubry - Parkes
Evans - Lashoff
Sheahan/Hoggan - Ferraro
Paetsch - Smith
Andersson - Tatar
Observations:
The penalties in the second period took all the life out of the team, what a let down.
Frankie Pare was very noticeable especially early in the game, buzzing around and taking the puck to the net.
Chad Billins had another strong game. He has very quick hands and feet, and obviously sees the ice very well. He did a great job of distributing the puck at the point and along the half boards.
Nicastro was hurt early and didn't return. Hopefully it was nothing serious, and just a precautionary thing.
Parkes had a great first period. He used his energy well, forechecking and throwing hits. He showed great chemistry with Aubry and the two of them were very active on the PK. And then he took the boarding major that really changed the shape of this game. There is a fine line between playing aggressive and taking penalties.
Jurco had some great chances early including a nice wraparound chance where he surprised everyone with a quick burst of speed. He had a little trouble with coverage on one of the first goal by Terry, but a lot broke down and I won't hang this on him.
Ferraro had a great game and saw some long shifts, especially on the PK where he stayed out for the full 2 minutes at least once.
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