Recap: Grand Rapids Griffins drop 3-0 decision to Chicago Wolves

The Grand Rapids Griffins struggled to score goals on Wednesday night, dropping a 3-0 loss to the Chicago Wolves at Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins’ website posted a game recap:

Chicago Wolves 3 at GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 0

Oct. 27, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins were unable to stop their cold streak on Wednesday and endured a 3-0 defeat to the hands of the Chicago Wolves at Van Andel Arena. This marked the second time that Grand Rapids has been shutout through five games this season.

The Griffins looked poised to grab the lead in the first period when Joe Veleno skated out on a breakaway, but his attempt was saved by the blocker of Eetu Makiniemi 2:43 into the frame.

Chicago received a power play at the 5:00 mark and made Grand Rapids pay just 20 seconds later. Cole Smith sat at the top of the left circle and sent a wrister past the glove of Calvin Pickard.

After a faceoff win in the Griffins zone, Chicago’s David Gust made it a two-goal game when he fired a one-timer into the left corner with 1:41 remaining.

In the second, Grand Rapids seized to take control offensively after being outshot in the first, 14-8. During their first power play of the night, the Griffins produced three good chances on net, but Makiniemi was able to stand his ground.

Coming into the last period, forwards Dominik Shine and Tyler Spezia both had breakaway opportunities but failed to convert. Defenseman Wyatt Newpower generated the best scoring chance for the Griffins with 15:04 remaining when his backhand attempt from just outside the crease was kicked away by the right toe of Makiniemi.

At the 16:37 mark, Chicago converted on its second power play of the evening when Jack Drury stood in the slot, turned, and put the puck passed Pickard to secure the 3-0 win.

The Griffins also posted a photo gallery, a highlight clip, and a set of post-game interviews:

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George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, when MLive hired me to work their SlapShots blog, and I joined Kukla's Korner in 2011 as The Malik Report. I'm starting The Malik Report as a stand-alone site, hoping that having my readers fund the website is indeed the way to go to build a better community and create better content.