Griffins snatch overtime victory against Marlies, extending their incredible point streak to ten games with a late-game hero.
The Grand Rapids Griffins continued their early-season surge on Wednesday afternoon with a thrilling 3–2 overtime victory against the Toronto Marlies and returning Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll.
Grand Rapids came out strong and struck first thanks to the red-hot Sheldon Dries. The veteran forward capitalized on a breakout pass from Austin Watson, breaking free through the neutral zone before cutting across the crease and lifting a backhand shot over Woll’s glove for a 1–0 lead.
Toronto nearly tied the game early in the second period on a power play. A mishandled shot from the slot deflected toward the Griffins’ net, but defenseman Justin Holl alertly swept the loose puck off the goal line before William Wallinder cleared it safely out of the zone.
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Moments later, the Marlies found a fortunate bounce when Ryan Tverberg’s low shot deflected off Holl’s skate and slipped past goaltender Carter Gylander to even the score. Toronto then grabbed the lead shorthanded as Jacob Quillan broke behind the defense and faked a move across the crease before tucking the puck past a sprawling Gylander for a 2–1 advantage.
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Grand Rapids responded later in the period. Amadeus Lombardi, still searching for his first goal of the season but producing more than an assist per game, carried the puck into the slot and fired a shot that Woll stopped. The rebound popped out to Austin Watson, who buried it to tie the game at 2–2.
Neither team could find the go-ahead goal in the third period, sending the contest to overtime. In the extra frame, Lombardi made the most of his next opportunity. After a Marlies turnover left him alone on a breakaway, the 22-year-old forward skated in and slipped a low shot through Woll’s pads for the game-winner and his first goal of the season.
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The victory extended the Griffins’ season-opening point streak to ten games, improving to 9-0-0-1 on the campaign. Grand Rapids will look to complete the sweep when they host Toronto again on Friday. The Marlies are expected to start a different goaltender, which could provide another favorable matchup for the red-hot Griffins. Fans can listen live on WOOD 106.9 FM and 1300 AM or stream the game on AHLTV through FloHockey.
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