Griffins Torpedo Admirals 3-1

The Griffins stunned the visiting Milwaukee with an impressive 3-1 victory, shutting down the division leaders for only their second loss in the last 10 games. Mitch Callahan paced the offense for the home team, scoring the game winner and adding an assist, while the recently returned Jared Coreau stopped 16 of 17 shots for the victory. The Griffins also got goals from rookie Dylan Sadowy and veteran Eric Tangradi, both notching their first of the campaign.

First Period No notes. Shots on goal: GR 10 – Mil 7.

After a scoreless first period, the Griffins got on the board just past the seven minute mark of the second period. Louis-Marc Aubry made a nice backhanded pass out of the corner to Dylan Sadowy at the side of the net. Sadowy made a sick spin move and tucked the puck in the far side of the net for his first career goal. Ford went down in a heap, favoring his lower leg before slowly making his way to the bench. Jared Coreau went behind the net after a couple puck and fanned on the shot. He then had to scramble to poke it away from an Admirals forward looking at an empty net. Robbie Russo made a nice play to break up a 2-on-1, poking the puck away. Grand Rapids short handed after a too many men on the ice penalty. Frk came out of the box, picked up the loose puck and tried to feed it to Lorito for a chance. Shots on goal: GR 10 – Mil 4.

Grand Rapids started the third down a man with Nosek in the box for another 57 seconds. Ford blocked a big slapper that stung him, but he stayed in the play until it was cleared. Street at the the line made a nice play to gain the zone and then hit a streaking Callahan with a pass. Callahan shot right up the slot and wristed a shot past Saros for a 2-0 lead. The Griffins really started to turn up the pressure. They had a great powerplay, lots of puck movement, cycling the puck and generating several dangerous chances but couldn’t score. Murphy took exception to Sadowy going to the net, and was jawing with him after the whistle.

Tangradi put a shoulder into White and stunned him. Griffins are attacking in waves, seemingly keeping possession of the puck for long periods. Hicketts blocked a shot and then smoked the shooter with a clean hit. Coreau made a juggling save and then Nosek came over and crosschecked a Milwaukee player to the ice. Conor Allen hurt behind the play and slowly made his way off the ice. Tangradi physically dominant, bringing the puck in at will. Callahan and Tangradi in front taking turns shooting at Saros. Grand Rapids couldn’t hold the puck at the line, turning it over to Zolnierczyk for a breakaway. The Admirals winger slid the puck past Coreau along the ice, stick side to break the shutout bid. Evgeny Svechnikov with a steal and he steered the puck through the crease. Saros summoned to the bench with a minute and change left. Callahan won the foot race to the loose puck and then fed Tangradi for the empty netter. Shots on goal: GR 14 – Mil 6. For the Game: GR 35 – Mil 17.

Lines:
Frk – Nosek- Lorito
Tangradi – Street – Callahan
Ford – Criscuolo – Svechnikov
Sadowy – Aubry – Turgeon

Pairings:
Renouf – Russo
Allen – Jensen
Paetsch – Hicketts

Starter: Heeter
Backup: Pasquale

Scratches:
#11 Cleary – Veteran
#17 Caito
#21 Borkowski #45 Campbell

PP:
Callahan – Nosek – Lorito
Frk – Street

Tangradi – Ford – Svechnikov
Criscuolo – Russo

PK:
Aubry – Nosek/Callahan
Lashoff – Jensen

Street – Ford
Paetsch – Renouf

Observations:

The Griffins truly played up to the level of their competition. They were dominant the 2nd half of the game and looked like they were perpetually on the powerplay.

Tangradi specifically looked like a man among boys, using his size and strength to win battles for the puck and position. Great to see him end up on the scoresheet.