Mrazek Cages Bulldogs With 2-0 Shutout Win

After needing overtime to snatch a victory from the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday, Petr Mrazek tightened things up Saturday pitching his 1st AHL shutout of the season. The veteran netminder stopped all 26 shots he faced for the fifth shutout and 50th regular season win of his AHL Career. The Griffins got goals from Zengerle (10) and Jensen (4) to provide the margin of victory. With the win, Grand Rapids moved into first place in the division and has garnered points in 12 of their last 13 games.

The Griffins got off to a slow start and could not generate much in the way of chances on a couple of early powerplays. Porter had a great chance shorthanded which was to be a common theme on the night as the Griffins were very dangerous when short a man. Bonis was hooked entering the zone, setting up another Griffins powerplay. A long shot hit Condon, dropped and then lay in front of him. Ferraro had a couple of pokes at it before the whistle. Athanasiou stole the puck for a chance to the side of the net. Then he stole the rebound back for another chance. Ferraro great chance shorthanded, cut in on Condon and couldn’t get the shot up high enough. Athanasiou cutting up the middle with speed drew a penalty, but was also assessed a matching one for diving, setting up a 4-on-4. Shots on goal: GR 9 – Ham 7.

Zengerle won a battle along the boards, dug the puck out and made a no look pass to Tvrdon for a shot. Mrazek huge stop on Andrighetto one-on-one. Mantha physical in front won’t back down. Zengerle fired a weak shot up the middle with Hoggan screening in front and somehow it trickled past Condon for a 1-0 lead. The griffins with a lot of interesting line combinations in the period as Mantha has not left the bench in a long while. Andrighetto got tied up up with Athanasiou at the whistle and went down. He got right up and started grappling with Athanasiou face shield and all. Shots on goal: GR 16 – Ham 7.

Frk fired a rocket right off the face-off that just missed the net. Scramble in front and Mrazek had to be sharp, stopping several quick shots. Mrazek lost his stick in traffic in another Hamilton flurry of shots. Zengerle picked Andrighetto’s pocket and sent the puck back up ice. Hoggan took the puck deep and then went cross-ice to Sproul who rang a big shot off the crossbar. Mrazek came up huge again on another point blank chance. Jensen cruised into the circle and snapped a shot on Condon that found its way through to extend the lead to two. Athanasiou broke in and tried to drag the puck around a defender and into the slot, but just had it roll away. Andrighetto and Miele jawing at each other. Then after the whistle Andrighetto went right over and dropped the gloves. He was given 12 minutes in penalties and went to the locker room for the night. Athanasiou with another exciting rush but ran out of room. The Bulldogs tried to pull Condon, but Grand Rapids regained possession. The finally got him to the bench just shy of the two minute mark. Ouellet really battling behind the net. Time ran out for the Bulldogs and Petr Mrazek notched a well deserved shutout and a 2-0 win. Shots on Goal: GR 5 – Ham 12. For the Game: GR 30 – Ham 26.

Lines:
Hoggan – Porter – Ferraro
Tvrdon – Miele – Zengerle
Frk – Athanasiou – Mantha
Bruton – Aubry – #20 Bonis

Pairings:
Lashoff – Jensen
Paetsch – Ouellet
Czarnowczan – Sproul

Starter: Mrazek
Backup: Coreau

Scratches:
Callahan – ACL – Out for season
Nosek – Concussion
McCollum
Evans – Lower Body Injury
Campbell

PP:
Hoggan – Miele – Zengerle
Paetsch – Tvrdon/Frk

Mantha – Porter – Ferraro
Czarnowczan/Tvrdon – Sproul

PK:
Porter – Ferraro
Paetsch – Jensen

Zengerle/Athanasiou – Miele
Lashoff – Ouellet

Observations:

Sproul seemed to have found his trigger again and had several good shots. He really had not been shooting much this season, perhaps something that came up during his recent time off in the pressbox.

Zengerle is starting to look like a player (at least at the AHL level). He has stepped up his game the last several weeks, and has done a credible job on the top line, scoring 3 goals and 4 assists in his last 7 games and 5 goals in his last 11. Most recently he has been killing penalties with Miele, using his speed and vision very effectively.