Grand Rapids split a weekend series with San Antonio to keep their points streak alive at five. Photo/Grand Rapids Griffins
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Grand Rapids Griffins have points in their last 5 games, as they picked up an win on Saturday Night, and picked up a point in Friday’s overtime loss to the San Antonio Rampage.
Friday’s game began how most Griffins fans would expect the game to begin with a Teemu Pulkkinen on a shot through the five hole of Rampage goalie Dan Ellis. Pulkkinen finished the game with 2 goals, adding to his league leading 29 goals on the season.
San Antonio followed that up with 3 goals of their own in a 6 minutes span of the second period. The 3rd of those goals came from defensemen Xavier Ouellet’s stick broke in two, and Rampage forward Vincent Trochek took advantage scoring on the breakaway to make it 3-1
The Griffins were able to fight back from two separate two goal deficits, but trailed 4-3 before Mark Zengerle put home a rebound goal to tie the game up and send it into the extra frame. 4 on 4 hockey was played for overtime and after it couldn’t be decided, the new 3 on 3 format took center stage as Rampage forward Rocco Grimaldi stunted the Griffins comeback, but still gave them a point going into Saturday’s matchup.
Saturday night started off similar to the previous night with an early 1-0 lead for Grand Rapids as captain Jeff Hoggan put the Griffins on top.
Just minutes into the 2nd period, the script was flipped. San Antonio was able to pop in two quick ones just 3:06 apart to take the 2-1 lead. Andy Miele was able to tie the game up for the Griffins, and they wouldn’t look back from there.
With just seconds remaining in the 2nd period, the captain was at it again, spurring his former team for another goal to put the Griffins up 3-2 heading into the 3rd period.
After a waved off goal was scored by Grand Rapids halfway through the 3rd period, the Griffins scratched and clawed to keep their lead, and were able to get the cherry on top when Miele picked up his second goal of the contest, sliding the puck into the open net to clinch the game for the Griffins.
The Griffins picked up 3 big points this weekend, but did lose a big point earner. Left winger Mitch Callahan, who is 3rd on the team in points this season, suffered a season ending ACL tear friday night against the Rampage. He should be ready to go for training camp 2015.
