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Grand Rapids Torches Toronto 7-2

Grand Rapids Torches Toronto 7-2
Seven different Griffins score in win…
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
April 4th, 2015

The vaunted Griffins offense was on display Saturday night as the team took a commanding 7-2 victory over the visiting Toronto Marlies. Seven different players scored for Grand Rapids, Nosek (10), Mantha (14), Jensen (6), Tvrdon (9), Hoggan (13), Zengerle (13) and Porter (13). Jared Coreau was strong between the pipes, stopping 36 of 38 shots for his 14th win of the season. The game was marred by a series of fight late in the game including one that spilled over into the Griffins bench.

Early in the period, Lashoff put a long shot on net and Nosek in front picked up the rebound and popped it over Gibson to open the scoring. Bruton making his presence felt with some big hits and a very physical shift. Ferraro turned up the Jets and embarrassed a couple of Marlies defenders by stick handling around them. He ended up getting taken down on the way to the net leaving the Griffins with the man advantage. Paetsch went to the box a few seconds later evening things up at 4-on-4, then Tvrdon joined him, producing a rare 4-on-3. The Griffins caught a break when the puck got through Coreau and hit the post instead of going in. Ferrari had another break shorthanded but Frattin wiped him out with a rough hit along the boards. Shots on goal: GR 11 – Tor 12.

Mantha extended the lead to two early in the second, but the Marlies rallied back when Leipsic hit Rupert with a back door pass for an easy snipe at the open side of the net. Jensen made it 3-1 when he walked up the slot and wristed a shot just inside the post, stick side. Big save by Coreau on a bang-bang play in front. Several marlies jumped Frk along the boards. Aubry peeled Mikkelson out of the pile and dropped the gloves for a wrestling match. Grand Rapids getting hosed by the officials late in the period, as they appear to have put their whistles away. A defensive breakdown left Nylander all alone in front. He picked up a rebound and buried it. Tvrdon broke in on Gibson, but just had the puck poked away from behind by Loov. Mantha rocked Brennan with a huge hit along the end boards. Little scrum broke out after the final buzzer. Shots on goal: GR 10 – Tor 14.

Tvrdon fired a low slow shot on Gibson that beat home five-hole to restore the two goal lead. Mantha had a great chance in front and drew a penalty. Marchenko way up in the circle for a one-timer that was just wide. Great Griffins Penalty Kill, blocking shots left and right. Marlies very frustrated they can’t get the puck through to the net. Paetsch blocked a long shot and went down. He got up and stayed in the play, hobbling for a couple of seconds before shaking it off. Pretty tic-tac-toe passing play, Mantha to Athanasiou, back to Mantha then cross the crease to Hoggan back door for a 5-2 lead. Empty net Toronto with five minutes and change left. The Marlies take a penalty trying to stop a scoring chance on the empty net and the Griffins go back on the powerplay. Zengerle peeled out of the pack in the corner and cut in on net, picking a corner for a powerplay goal. A few seconds later Porter in the slot got a stick on a Jensen shot that wound up behind Gibson for a 7-2 lead. It was at this point that things started to slip out of control. Bruton was boarded with no call, then Aubry was given a two handed slash by Ross without a penalty. Then all hell broke loose between the two benches. Carrick and Bruton came to blows with Carrick ending up going over the boards into the photography box. The Marlies swarmed Bruton and started throwing punches. Players on the Marlies bench reached over and grabbed the Griffins players who went over to help. Aubry went over and pulled a Marlies player away. Several fights were breaking out at the same time. Aubry and Leivo ended up going into the Griffins bench with several members of both teams throwing punches. One of the officials ended up going into the bench to try and break things up, but ended up getting knocked to the ice by the Marlies player. Order was eventually restored, but several players for both teams were done for the night. The griffins had a couple of good chances in the closing minutes, and the game ended with a 7-2 Griffins Victory. Shots on Goal: GR 10 – Tor 12. For the Game: GR 31 – Tor 38.

Lines:
Tvrdon – Nosek – Ferraro
Hoggan – Athanasiou – Mantha
Frk – Aubry – Bruton
Porter – Miele – Zengerle

Pairings:
Sproul – Ouellet
Lashoff – Jensen
Paetsch – Marchenko

Starter: Coreau
Backup: McCollum

Scratches:
Callahan – ACL – Out for season
Campbell
Evans

PP:
Mantha – Miele – Zengerle
Paetsch – Sproul/Marchenko

Tvrdon – Aubry – Ferraro
Porter – Ouellet

PK:
Nosek – Ferraro
Paetsch – Marchenko

Athanasiou – Porter
Lashoff – Jensen

Observations:

Tough to single out players when the team played so well. But several deserve a shout out.

Bruton brought his physical game and had the kind of performance he needed after an extended period out of the lineup. Energy, checking, a couple of huge hits, and he didn’t leave his team shorthanded.

Louis-Marc Aubry had another in a string of strong games. While he didn’t hit the scoresheet, he was a big part in the win, and had the Marlies concentrating on him, not the game.

Nick Jensen had an effective night along with his partner Bryan Lashoff. Jensen had a goal and an assist, no glaring errors, and did a good job using his speed to keep the puck out of harms way.

Coreau looked pretty strong picking up his 14th win of the season. He didn’t show any signs of rust, and used his size and quick feet to his advantage against the Marlies.

Mantha had a good game. He seemed to thrive in the physical play, and he was executing his little spin moves to get free and create dangerous chances. He had several great chances in close after beating a defenseman and walking into the slot or circle.

Official Game Sheet

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