The Grand Rapids Griffins lost twice this weekend, first 3-2 in overtime to Cleveland Friday, then 3-0 to Rockford on Saturday. However, Simon Edvinsson scored in Friday's losing effort
Over the weekend, the Grand Rapids Griffins lost twice, their record dropping to 2-3-1 on the season.
On Friday, Grand Rapids hosted the Cleveland Monsters in what would become a 3-2 overtime loss at Van Andel Arena. The Griffins fell behind 2-0 before coming back in the final five minutes of regulation.
The comeback bid began with a Simon Edvinsson wrister from the point for a power play goal with the clock showing 3:04 to play. Cross Hanas and Taro Hirose recorded assists on the play. With the primary helper, Hanas extended a point streak to three games.
Oct 5, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (77) skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena.With 27 seconds to play, Tim Gettinger tied the score with assists from Joel L'Esperance and Hirose to salvage a point for GR, whose evening ended 46 seconds into overtime off the stick of the Monsters' Brendan Gaunce.
Sebastian Cossa started in net for the Griffins and stopped 23 of the 26 shots he faced. The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari released an exploration of a number of top goaltending prospects early season results this morning and had this to say of Cossa:
"Cossa’s start to this year has quieted the worries of Red Wings fans and analysts alike. He has posted a .931 save percentage to start the season while facing an average of 34 shots per game. The 6-foot-6 netminder’s ability to deal with a heavy workload and look good doing it just a year after posting a save percentage of .783 at the AHL level is incredibly encouraging."
In the second game of the weekend, Grand Rapids was blanked at the BMO Center in Rockford by the Ice Hogs 3-0. Drew Commesso stopped all 18 Griffin shots, and Ethan Del Mastro, Brett Seney, and Joey Anderson provided the goals for Rockford.
Michael Hutchinson started in net for Grand Rapids, making 24 saves on 26 shots.
The Griffins will return to action Wednesday evening, with a shot at redemption against the Monsters at Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland.
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