Toronto celebrates their sweep of Grand Rapids after defeating the Griffins in game four, 4-1. Photo provided by the Grand Rapids Griffins
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he Toronto Marlies have had the Grand Rapids Griffins number all season. In four meetings during the regular season, Toronto has managed to knock Grand Rapids around like a rag doll. Their first game of the year was October 5, when Toronto kept Grand Rapids at bay to pull off a 4-3 win.
The second game was during the Hockeytown Winter Festival when Grand Rapids narrowly lost in a shootout to Toronto at Comerica Park December 30, 4-3 once more. Their third meeting was the next day at the Van Andel arena when the Marlies knocked the Griffins around for a 3-1 win.
So it was no surprise Friday night in Toronto when the Griffins fell for the fourth and final time during the regular season to the Marlies, succumbing to a 4-1 deficit. Landon Ferraro earned the sole goal for his team.
The first period was so for both teams. Ferraro was put in the penalty box during the last minute of the period, and Mitch Callahan nearly scored off a shorthanded breakaway chance but was denied by Marlies’ goaltender Drew MacIntyre.
Just 1:17 into the second period, the AHL’s leading scoring-defenseman T.J. Brennan took advantage of the power play opportunity to put the Marlies up 1-0. Josh Leivo made it 2-0 when he beat Griffins goalie Petr Mrazek at the 4:01 mark off a rebound from Andrew MacWilliam.
Ferraro earned his goal 8:20 into the third to get Grand Rapids on the board and cut the lead in half at 2-1. Adam Almquist’s shot rebounded into the corner where Jeff Hogan retrieved and sent a pass to the crease. Ferraro poked at the puck until he got past McIntyre.
Brandon Kozun retook a two-goal advantage for the Marlies at the 12:05 mark. He took a pass at the Griffins’ blue line and sent the puck into the upper left corner of the net from the high slot. Jerry D’Amigo got an empty net goal with just over a minute left in the game for the 4-1 victory.
Mrazek made 23 saves in the loss and allowed three of the four goals. The Griffins outshot the Marlies 42-t0-27.
Grand Rapids falls to 29-15-2-2 on the season but still lead the Midwest Division.
