GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In the last matchup this campaign between Toronto and the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Marlies prevailed in an overtime thriller with a 3-2 win at Van Andel Arena on Saturday. The Griffins finished the season series with a 2-1-1-0 record.
After scoring the game-winner last night, Cross Hanas was the hero once again by notching the game-tying goal with 10 seconds to go in the final frame. However, Joey Anderson’s 5-on-3 tally at 3:28 in overtime played spoiler and lifted Toronto to a win. Hanas now has a team-leading seven goals and is second in total points for Grand Rapids (7-4–11). Victor Brattstrom recorded 32 saves, the second most of the campaign for the Swede.
Early in the first period, Givani Smith gathered a pass inside the crease from Pontus Andreasson on an odd-man rush and fired a shot behind the pads of Dryden McKay at 1:14. Smith’s goal was his 50th point in the AHL and as a Griffin. Logan Shaw answered for Toronto 2:05 later, wrapping around the backside of the cage and sliding the puck just inside the left post to knot up the contest at 1-1.
Scoring came to a halt in the second frame, as the defenses and goalies locked-in and fended off 22 combined shots. Grand Rapids had two power-play opportunities in the frame, but the most significant chance came from Toronto while short-handed with Graham Slaggert going one-on-one against Brattstrom. The Griffins’ netminder blocked the Indiana native’s shot from the slot at 14:27, keeping the game tied heading into the final frame.
At 4:21, Slaggert got his revenge with a pass from Max Ellis that left the net exposed for Slaggert to put Toronto up 2-1. After killing off a Marlies’ power play, the Griffins had 42 seconds left to tie it. Hanas came through for Grand Rapids, receiving Jared McIsaac’s pass and sending a one-timer into the top right of the cage to send the game to overtime with 10 seconds remaining.
After Joel L’Esperance and Smith made a trip to the box for separate penalties, Anderson scored from the crease on a two-man advantage for the 3-2 Toronto victory.
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