Teemu Pulkkinen ties the Griffins’ franchise record for game-scoring streak at eight games. Photo/Grand Rapids Griffins
[dropcap]V[/dropcap]an Andel Arena saw another overtime thriller Wednesday night when the Grand Rapids Griffins took on the Charlotte Checkers.
Teemu Pulkkinen tied former Griffin and AHL MVP Donald McLean’s franchise record for consecutive games with a goal to eight games when he netted his 20th goal of the season in the second period, tying the game 2-2.
With the extra point for the overtime win the Griffins move into a tie for second place in the Midwest Division with rival Chicago. Grand Rapids has been playing phenomenal since November 12, posting a of 15-5-2-1 record during that period.
The Griffins and Checkers played very good defense in the first period, and it looked like the period would end in a tie. While the Griffins had the man advantage, Ryan Sproul took a slap shot from the point and Checkers goalie Drew MacIntre had a nice save but couldn’t coral the puck and Griffins defensemen Nathan Paetsch knocked home the rebound for his fourth goal of the campaign and give the Griffins the lead going into the second period.
It didn’t take long for the Checkers to get on the board and tie the game. At the 38 second mark of the second, Checkers right winger Chad LaRose scored on a one timer past Griffins net minder Tom McCollum to tie the game 1-1.
At 5:08 of the second Michigan natives Alex Aleardi and Patrick Brown team up to give the Checkers a 2-1 lead. Charlotte took the lead. Just a minute and a half later Checkers defensemen Rasmus Rissanen took a hooking penalty to give Grand Rapids a power play.
With just a 30 seconds left in the Griffins power play, Teemu Pulkkinen tied up the game and tied the franchise record eight game goal streak when he fired a quick shot from the bottom of the left face off circle top shelf to beat MacIntre’s glove.
The third period saw no goals but both offenses and defenses gave their teams a chance to win. Regulation ended with both teams about equal in the shots on goal with Grand Rapids tallying 29 shots on net and Charlotte 27.
It didn’t take Griffins right wingers Landon Ferraro long to score his 13th goal of the season at the 1:18 mark to give his team a 3-2 win over Charlotte.
Griffin’s goalie Tom McCollum secured his 9th win of the season, while MacIntre earned his 11th loss of the season.
The Griffins and Checkers face off Friday night at the Van Andel Arena. Puck drops at 7PM EST
