FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH
HUDSONVILLE, Mich. One week from opening their 10th anniversary season, the Grand Rapids Griffins finished their preseason schedule with a perfect 3-0 mark, earning a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Barons on Saturday at the Georgetown Ice Center.
Tomas Kopecky and Derek Meech each recorded two points and Drew MacIntyre stopped 33 of 36 shots, helping limit the Barons to just one power play goal in 15 opportunities.
The Griffins will kick off their 10th season next Saturday, Oct. 8, when they host the Milwaukee Admirals in a 7 p.m. start at Van Andel Arena.
Grand Rapids and Cleveland traded goals during a penalty-marred opening period in which the Griffins were faced with three separate 5-on-3 disadvantages. With 6:01 left in the frame, Kopecky took a shot from the right boards that was denied by Dimitri Patzold, but defenseman Nick Martens slammed home the rebound from close range.
Cleveland netted the equalizer with nine seconds remaining in a two-man advantage. From the slot, Josh Hennessy tipped Tim Conboys blast from the point past MacIntyre, knotting the game at the 16:59 mark.
The standing room-only crowd of 1,143 saw the Griffins christen the second period by scoring three straight goals, beginning with a penalty shot by Bryan Helmer at 6:02. Power play goals 34 seconds apart by Ryan Keller and Kopecky, the first coming at 12:23 during a 5-on-3, increased Grand Rapids margin to 4-1.
The Barons fought back on Patrick Rissmillers goal with 1:32 remaining in the middle period and Hennessys second of the game at 16:48 of the third, but Cleveland could get no closer despite pulling Patzold in favor of an extra attacker in the waning moments.
Tomas Kopecky and Derek Meech each recorded two points and Drew MacIntyre stopped 33 of 36 shots, helping limit the Barons to just one power play goal in 15 opportunities.
The Griffins will kick off their 10th season next Saturday, Oct. 8, when they host the Milwaukee Admirals in a 7 p.m. start at Van Andel Arena.
Grand Rapids and Cleveland traded goals during a penalty-marred opening period in which the Griffins were faced with three separate 5-on-3 disadvantages. With 6:01 left in the frame, Kopecky took a shot from the right boards that was denied by Dimitri Patzold, but defenseman Nick Martens slammed home the rebound from close range.
Cleveland netted the equalizer with nine seconds remaining in a two-man advantage. From the slot, Josh Hennessy tipped Tim Conboys blast from the point past MacIntyre, knotting the game at the 16:59 mark.
The standing room-only crowd of 1,143 saw the Griffins christen the second period by scoring three straight goals, beginning with a penalty shot by Bryan Helmer at 6:02. Power play goals 34 seconds apart by Ryan Keller and Kopecky, the first coming at 12:23 during a 5-on-3, increased Grand Rapids margin to 4-1.
The Barons fought back on Patrick Rissmillers goal with 1:32 remaining in the middle period and Hennessys second of the game at 16:48 of the third, but Cleveland could get no closer despite pulling Patzold in favor of an extra attacker in the waning moments.