The Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Lake Erie Monsters 3-1 at Toledo’s Huntington Center today, kicking off the first half of a back-to-back slate of exhibition games in the “Glass City.”
The Griffins’ website posted a recap of the game:
GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3 vs. Cleveland Monsters 1
TOLEDO, Ohio — In their first preseason game since 2016, the Grand Rapids Griffins came away with a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Monsters at the Huntington Center, highlighted by a two-goal performance from Sheldon Dries.
In addition to Dries, rookie Kienan Draper tallied the Griffins’ final goal and Michal Postava received the nod in net and totaled 15 saves on 16 shots. The Griffins did not see a power play in the contest, but the penalty kill went 3-for-3 with a shorthanded tally.
Despite holding a 7-4 shot advantage, the Griffins trailed 1-0 after the first period. Shortly after a bout between Ronnie Attard and James Malatesta, Cleveland’s Boston Buckberger struck first at 13:13 of the opening frame.
Grand Rapids got on the scoreboard 4:29 into the second period when Dries collected a rebound in the crease and stuffed it inside the right post. Dries tallied his second goal of the period with 2:24 remaining while shorthanded. Shai Buium ripped the puck from the left point and Dries redirected it past Evan Gardner to claim a 2-1 lead going into the final stanza. The Griffins outshot the Monsters 12-4 in the second.
Draper lit the lamp 6:43 into the third period with a shot from the high slot. The Monsters pulled their netminder with 2:23 remaining for a 6-on-4 power play but failed to generate a goal and the Griffins skated away with a 3-1 victory.
The Griffins also posted an 8:50 clip of post-game comments from Kienan Draper, Sheldon Dries and coach Dan Watson:
