From Hamilton.com:
The Grand Rapids Griffins defeated Hamilton 3-1 at Copps Coliseum on Wednesday evening in the Bulldogs’ 1000th game. Back-to-back power-play goals put Hamilton down 2-0 in the second period and Grand Rapids held on in the third period for the win.
After a scoreless first period, the Griffins opened the game’s scoring with a power-play goal at 13:27 in the second stanza. Darren Haydar fed a cross-ice pass to Mattias Ritola, who had snuck to the side of the net. Ritola fired a shot past Hamilton Bulldogs starting goaltender Cedrick Desjardins, for his 15th goal of the season. Garret Stafford also drew an assist on the play.
Grand Rapids added to its lead shortly after, scoring a second power-play goal at 15:44 of the middle frame. Evan McGrath banged in his ninth goal of the year, after Desjardins made the initial save on a point shot from Haydar. Francis Pare collected the additional assist.
Ryan Flinn notched his first goal of the season and first as a Bulldog to bring the ‘Dogs to within one at 12:40 of the third frame. Ben Maxwell took a shot that was saved by Grand Rapids starting goaltender Jimmy Howard. Flinn shovelled the loose puck underneath Howard for the marker.
The Griffins withstood the comeback, sealing their victory with a goal by Jamie Tardif at 17:09 in the final period. A screened shot from the blue line gave Desjardins little chance to make the save. Jakub Kindl and Cory Emmerton picked up assists on the play.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
No scoring.
2nd Period:
1. GR – Mattias Ritola – 15 (Darren Haydar, Garrett Stafford) – 13:27 (PP)
2. GR – Evan McGrath – 9 (Francis Pare, Darren Haydar) – 15:44 (PP)
3rd Period:
3. HAM – Ryan Flinn – 1 (Ben Maxwell) – 12:40
4. GR – Jamie Tardif – 8 (Jakub Kindl, Cory Emmerton) – 17:09
Scoring:
Hamilton: 0-0-1–1
Grand Rapids: 0-2-1–3
Shots:
Hamilton: 13-17-9–33
Grand Rapids: 13-17-8–38
Goaltending:
Hamilton: Cedrick Desjardins (38 shots, 35 saves)
Grand Rapids: Jimmy Howard (33 shots, 32 saves)
Power Play:
Hamilton: 0-for-5
Grand Rapids: 2-for-6
Attendance: 2,981
Three Stars:
1. GR – Darren Haydar (2 assists, +1)
2. GR – Jimmy Howard (33 shots, 32 saves)
3. HAM – Cedrick Desjardins (38 shots, 35 saves)
Flamboro Downs Workhorse: Ben Maxwell
