Seven Seconds Spell Doom for Griffins
Published on December 8, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Syracuse Crunch scored twice in a seven-second span of the first period - the fastest two goals against in Griffins history - and made them stand up for a 2-1 victory Saturday at Van Andel Arena, breaking Grand Rapids' three-game winning streak.
The Griffins (10-13-1-2), who also suffered their first regulation loss in their last five home games, will continue their season-high six-game home stand next week by hosting a pair against the defending Calder Cup champion Hamilton Bulldogs on Wednesday and Friday. Game time each night is 7 p.m.
The chippy play from Friday's 2-0 Griffins win carried over into tonight's affair, as Syracuse's Marc Methot initiated some shenanigans during the pre-game warmup and Adam Keefe out-pointed Tom Sestito in a brawl just 2:05 into the contest.
At the 12:26 mark of the first period, after Jimmy Howard had denied Syracuse's initial shot from the left goal line and a rebound attempt from point-blank range, Andrew Murray finally deposited the visitors' third attempt from the right side. The Crunch then won the ensuing draw at center ice and Jeffrey Szwez sped in ahead of the Griffins' defense, sliding a shot inside the right post for Syracuse's second goal in just seven seconds.
It took 34 shots and 56:44 for the Griffins to finally light the lamp behind Crunch netminder Tomas Popperle. During a power play, Mattias Ritola rang a shot off the right post, but Carl Corazzini cashed in the rebound from just outside the crease to extend his goal streak to three games.
Grand Rapids applied heavy pressure in the Syracuse end during the final minutes but could not net the equalizer. Popperle followed up Friday's solid relief performance by making 34 saves, while Howard saw his three-game winning streak come to an end in a 16-save effort.
A crowd of 9,262, the Griffins' largest since opening night, witnessed the game, raising the team's average attendance through 12 games to 5,671, a year-to-date increase of 17.2%.
American Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2007
- Monsters Downed In Overtime By IceHogs - Cleveland Monsters
- Houston defeats Manitoba Moose 4-3, win fourth straight - Houston Aeros
- Iowa Edges Rampage in OT, 3-2 - San Antonio Rampage
- Seven Seconds Spell Doom for Griffins - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Aeros sweep Moose with 4-3 win - Manitoba Moose
- Flames Burn Rivermen 4-3 - Peoria Rivermen
- Bulldogs Doubled Up by Admirals on Toy Toss Night - Hamilton Bulldogs
- P-Bruins Fall to Pirates 5-4 - Providence Bruins
- Bulldogs doubled-up by Admirals - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Henrich Nets Four Points as Admirals Down Penguins - Norfolk Admirals
- Lewis Leads Battle As Monarchs Dance With Wolves - Manchester Monarchs
- No shootout needed, Hogs win in overtime - Rockford IceHogs
- Phantoms End Skid With 3-2 Win Over Hershey - Adirondack Phantoms
- Sharks Tricked by Moore, Wolf Pack - Worcester Sharks
- Falcons Beat Devils 5-2 - Springfield Falcons
- Devils Clipped By Falcons, 5-2 - Albany Devils
- Hamilton Recalls David Desharnais From Cincinnati - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Coyotes Assign Bell To San Antonio - San Antonio Rampage
- Dallas Stars Assign Junior Lessard to Iowa - Iowa Chops
- Captain Returns To Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Aeros rematch Manitoba tonight at 7:30 p.m. day after defeating the Moose - Houston Aeros
- Falcons Host Devils Tonight - Springfield Falcons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
