In the AHL, Filip Hronek had a goal and an assist, Matt Puempel, Cory Elkins and Matt Lorito scored goals and Tom McCollum became the Griffins’ all-time goaltending wins leader via a 26-save performance in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 4-2 win over Cleveland.
The Griffins’ website posted a recap of the game in which McCollum won his 110th game as a Griffin:
McCOLLUM WINS 110TH GAME
GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 4 at Cleveland Monsters 2
Feb. 2, 2018
CLEVELAND – The Grand Rapids Griffins used two third period goals to defeat the Cleveland Monsters on Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena. They were led by goaltender Tom McCollum who earned his seventh win of the season while becoming the all-time leader in wins for the defending Calder Cup champions.
The Griffins (23-18-1-5) finish their three-game series against the Monsters (14-23-4-3) on Sunday afternoon from Cleveland. The puck drops at 1 p.m.
Brady Austin scored his fourth goal of the season just 1:05 into the game from the left circle. He received a cross-ice pass from Terry Broadhurst in the right circle. The puck elevated high enough to sneak over McCollum’s left pad for the one-goal lead.
Matt Puempel tied the game with 2:59 left in the first period with his 18th goal of the year. After getting a pass from Filip Hronek at the point, the team’s leading scorer took a wrist shot that was initially stopped by Cleveland goaltender, Jeff Zatkoff. However, the rebound caromed right back to Puempel who took a snap shot that went sailing over Zatkoff’s glove and into the net for the power play tally.
Corey Elkins gave the Griffins a 2-1 lead with his eighth goal of the campaign at the 14:49 mark of the second frame. Turner Elson initially led the odd-man rush and took the initial shot, but he missed the net entirely. The puck deflected off of the back boards and ricocheted to Elkins who hit a shot from the sharpest angle on the ice.
Alex Broadhurst tied the game with his 11th goal of the season 8:05 into the third stanza with a slick shot from the left circle. Terry Broadhurst made a behind-the-back pass from the Cleveland zone to his younger brother in the neutral zone. After skating into the Griffins zone, past two defenders, Broadhurst sent the puck into the top left corner of the net over McCollum’s right shoulder.
Hronek tallied his fifth goal of the year to give the Griffins a 3-2 lead with 4:13 remaining in regulation. The defenseman skated past two defenders in the neutral zone, and then took a shot from just inside the blue line between two more defenders. The puck traveled under Zatkoff’s right arm and into the net.
With 22 seconds left, Grand Rapids added an insurance goal from Matt Lorito. After four missed scoring chances on an empty net, Lorito cashed in on a turnover in the neutral zone for his 13th goal. He skated past two defenders and then towards the open cage to make the final score 4-2.
McCollum finished with 26 saves for the victory, while Zatkoff pushed aside 27 shots in a losing effort.
Notes: Tom McCollum passed Joey MacDonald on the all-time wins list…He’s also the all-time saves leader for the franchise.
Three Stars: 1. GR Hronek (Game-winning goal, assist); 2. GR McCollum (W, 26 saves); 3. CLE Broadhurst, T (Two assists)
The Griffins’ website also posted a photo gallery and a highlight clip via the Monsters‘ YouTube channel:
Elsewhere, in the Swedish Allsvenskan, Malte Setkov played on the 3rd defensive pairing in IK Pantern’s 3-2 loss to Timra IK;
In the Swedish J20 league, Alfons Malmstrom played on the 3rd defensive pairing in HV71 Jonkoping’s 6-5 loss to Skelleftea AIK;
In the Swiss National League, Joren van Pottelberghe served as the back-up in HC Davos’ 3-2 loss to HC Ambri-Piotta;
In the OHL, Jordan Sambrook had 2 shots in the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds’ 4-3 OT win over the Saginaw Spirit. Reilly Webb finished even for Saginaw;
Kaden Fulcher stopped 26 of 30 shots in the Hamilton Bulldogs’ 4-3 loss to the Kitchener Rangers. Givani Smith had an assist and 5 shots for Kitchener;
Michael Rasmussen had an assist and 4 shots, going 10-for-15 on faceoffs in the Tri-City Americans’ 6-3 win over the Portland Winterhawks. Dennis Cholowski finished even with 3 shots for Portland;
Lane Zablocki finished at -1 with a 1-for-4 faceoff record in the Victoria Royals’ 4-3 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers;
In the USHL, Filip Larsson stopped 30 of 33 shots the Tri-City Storm’s 4-1 loss to the Waterloo Black Hawks;
In NCAA hockey, Chase Pearson had an assist and 2 shots, finishing 8-for-19 on faceoffs, and Patrick Holway had an assist on 2 shots, finishing at -1 in the University of Maine Black Bears’ 4-3 OT win over Merrimack;
Chase Perry served as the back-up in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers’ 3-0 loss to Colgate;
Jack Adams didn’t play in the Union College Dutchmen’s 4-3 loss to Cornell;
Kasper Kotkansalo finished even with 2 shots in the Boston University Terriers’ 3-2 win over UMass;
Keith Petruzzelli won a rare start, stopping 25 of 26 shots in the Quinnipiac Bobcats’ 4-1 win over Clarkson;
And David Pope scored his first hat trick on Friday, finishing even with 5 shots in the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s 5-3 loss to St. Cloud State.
George it doesnt look like Svechnikov played last night. Any news on that?
The AHL’s injury policy = Bob Kaser said that Svechnikov was out and that the Griffins would go with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen during the game-day preview video, but “out” is as specific as anyone is required to get.
Thanks George