[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the Checkers’ home opener, the Grand Rapids Griffins held Charlotte at bay for a 2-1 win. Teemu Pulkkinen scored his second goal of the season 46 seconds into the final frame to put the game away for Grand Rapids.
The first of four power play opportunities for the Griffins (2-1-0-0) in the third period led to the game-winning goal, as Pulkkinen took advantage just seconds after Patrick Brown was sent off for hooking 35 seconds into the period. Nathan Paetsch fed Pulkkinen a pass and, without pressure, he fired a slap shot over the glove of Checkers (1-3-0-0) goaltender Drew MacIntyre.
Xavier Ouellet scored his first goal of the season — and the first of the game — at the 7:17 mark of the opening period. He received a pass from Mark Zengerle while zipping down the left side and netted a wrister over the glove of MacIntyre, a former Griffins goalie. The Checkers would even the game 23 seconds into the second period, three seconds after Brennan Evans first-period tripping penalty ended. Beau Schmitz fired a shot from the point which gave Brody Sutter the rebound and chance to hit the mark by poking it into the net.
The Griffins totaled more than twice as many shots on goal (15) as the Checkers (7) in the opening period. They held the advantage again in the second, 12-4.
Mrazek made 18 saves in his second start and first win of the season, while opposing goalie MacIntyre stopped 41. Grand Rapids was 1-for-9 on power play opportunities while Charlotte failed on all six attempts.
The two teams will meet Saturday at 7 p.m. in Charlotte for their second game.
