TOP DOGS
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – On a night when former defenseman Travis Richards’ no. 24 jersey was retired to the Van Andel Arena rafters, the Grand Rapids Griffins revived their offense with a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Wolves.
Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson’s first two AHL goals and Josh Langfeld’s three assists propelled Grand Rapids (7-9-2-1) to its highest-scoring period of the season, as the Griffins lit the lamp four times in the second en route to snapping their seven-game winless streak and handing the Wolves (13-5-1-0) just their second regulation loss in their last 12 outings. Grand Rapids will try to make it two straight wins on Saturday during an 8 p.m. visit to San Antonio.
Chicago’s AHL-leading offense struck first on the power play at 19:02 of the opening period. Darren Haydar blocked a clearing attempt at the blueline and quickly fed Cory Larose, who beat a screened Jimmy Howard low to the glove side.
Grand Rapids needed just 1:01 of the second period to even the score on an unassisted tally by Matt Hussey, who sped down the left side and unleashed a blast at the top of the circle that hit Michael Garnett’s arm before trickling across the line. The Griffins then earned their first lead at 2-1 less than five minutes later during a 4-on-4, as Danny Syvret collected an orphaned rebound in the slot and sent a wrist shot past Garnett at the 5:38 mark.
Ericsson’s first North American goal gave the Griffins a two-goal advantage and their first three-goal output in their last five home games. Sprung by a pass from Howard, the erstwhile centerman charged down the slot, split two defenders and flipped the puck over Garnett’s glove for a power play tally at 8:57. Ericsson added another marker during an advantage at 16:29 for the first two-goal game of his pro career, which began in the Swedish Elite League in 2003-04.
Darryl Bootland converted from the slot just 1:03 into the third period, giving the Griffins their first five-goal game since Nov. 4, their first four-goal lead since Nov. 3 and their first three power play-goal performance since the Oct. 6 season opener.
The Wolves refused to go quietly, however, tallying three goals in a span of 6:29. Colin Stuart banked in a wraparound at 6:23, Kyle Wanvig tipped a pass over Howard’s shoulder at 12:27, and Kevin Doell found a rebound for an easy tap-in inside the left post at 12:52. But Scott Barney’s first of the season at 15:19 – against his former team – gave the Griffins some much-needed breathing room and provided the final margin.
Out-shot 42-24 on the night, Chicago lost for just the second time in 12 road games.
Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson’s first two AHL goals and Josh Langfeld’s three assists propelled Grand Rapids (7-9-2-1) to its highest-scoring period of the season, as the Griffins lit the lamp four times in the second en route to snapping their seven-game winless streak and handing the Wolves (13-5-1-0) just their second regulation loss in their last 12 outings. Grand Rapids will try to make it two straight wins on Saturday during an 8 p.m. visit to San Antonio.
Chicago’s AHL-leading offense struck first on the power play at 19:02 of the opening period. Darren Haydar blocked a clearing attempt at the blueline and quickly fed Cory Larose, who beat a screened Jimmy Howard low to the glove side.
Grand Rapids needed just 1:01 of the second period to even the score on an unassisted tally by Matt Hussey, who sped down the left side and unleashed a blast at the top of the circle that hit Michael Garnett’s arm before trickling across the line. The Griffins then earned their first lead at 2-1 less than five minutes later during a 4-on-4, as Danny Syvret collected an orphaned rebound in the slot and sent a wrist shot past Garnett at the 5:38 mark.
Ericsson’s first North American goal gave the Griffins a two-goal advantage and their first three-goal output in their last five home games. Sprung by a pass from Howard, the erstwhile centerman charged down the slot, split two defenders and flipped the puck over Garnett’s glove for a power play tally at 8:57. Ericsson added another marker during an advantage at 16:29 for the first two-goal game of his pro career, which began in the Swedish Elite League in 2003-04.
Darryl Bootland converted from the slot just 1:03 into the third period, giving the Griffins their first five-goal game since Nov. 4, their first four-goal lead since Nov. 3 and their first three power play-goal performance since the Oct. 6 season opener.
The Wolves refused to go quietly, however, tallying three goals in a span of 6:29. Colin Stuart banked in a wraparound at 6:23, Kyle Wanvig tipped a pass over Howard’s shoulder at 12:27, and Kevin Doell found a rebound for an easy tap-in inside the left post at 12:52. But Scott Barney’s first of the season at 15:19 – against his former team – gave the Griffins some much-needed breathing room and provided the final margin.
Out-shot 42-24 on the night, Chicago lost for just the second time in 12 road games.
Related News
November 18
Detroit Recalls William Lagesson from Griffins
November 17
Gage Alexander Reassigned to Grand Rapids
November 16