GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 6 at Hamilton Bulldogs 1

Nov. 8, 2013

HAMILTON, ONT. — A four-goal flurry within 1:13 by the Grand Rapids Griffins propelled them to a 6-1 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday at Copps Coliseum. With the win, the Griffins improved their overall record to 9-2-1-1, and maintained first place in the Midwest Division.

The Griffins also extended their road record to 12-0-1-1 dating back to the playoffs and 7-0-1-1 this season, making it their best nine-game road start in 18 seasons. The game also marks the second matchup in a row that the Griffins have scored six goals; they defeated the Rockford IceHogs, 6-2, on Wednesday.

In his second consecutive win, Petr Mrazek turned away 30 of 31 shots.

Cory Emmerton scored his first of the season and the Griffins’ first of the game at 8:05 of the opening period. Alexey Marchenko attempted a pass to Emmerton from the point, but the puck was deflected into the air off a Hamilton player’s stick. Emmerton caught the puck, dropped it to the ice and shot it past goaltender Robert Mayer.

At 9:15, Hamilton’s Greg Pateryn was called for boarding and just 30 seconds later, Maxime Macenauer joined him in the box after receiving a double minor for high-sticking. Grand Rapids took advantage of the lengthy five-on-three with a power-play goal by Calle Jarnkrok at 11:03. Gustav Nyquist fed Jarnkrok a pass in the slot and a slap shot doubled the Griffins’ lead.

Immediately following a Griffins penalty kill, Andrej Nestrasil walked into the Bulldogs zone and netted a wrister from outside the right circle at 10:52 of the second period.

In the 1:13 following Nestrasil’s tally, the Griffins scored three more goals.

The puck was poked to Jarnkrok from a scrum along the boards, and he scored his second of the night on a slap shot from outside the right circle at 11:15. Nyquist and Tomas Jurco had assists on both of his goals.

Just ten seconds later, Mitch Callahan picked up the rebound of Nestrasil’s shot and backhanded the puck past Mayer.

Hamilton pulled Mayer and put in Dustin Tokarski, but at 12:05, a Grand Rapids breakout play resulted in Teemu Pulkkinen scoring the Griffins sixth of the night. Ryan Sproul passed him the puck for a slap shot near the Bulldogs blue line.

Sven Andrighetto accounted for Hamilton’s only tally, a power-play from the point at 19:05.

Tokarski stopped 7 of 8 shots in relief of Mayer (9 of 14). With the loss, Hamilton drops to 5-4-0-3.

The Griffins will look to extend their road streak as they take on the Milwaukee Admirals at 8 p.m. on Nov. 13 at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Three Stars: 1. GR Jarnkrok (two goals); 2. GR Nestrasil (goal, assist); 3. Mrazek (W, 30 saves)