Controversial Call Assists Griffins to Series Tie With Texas

Looking to rebound from last night's three-goal loss, Texas scored first tonight but couldn't hold on to win. The final was a tight 3-2 tally. David McIntyre's second period goal was a huge momentum shifter, and it was initially waved off by the referees. After further consideration, the officials called it a good goal, putting Grand Rapids up 2-1. The replay showed that the puck had been played with a high stick and the initial no-goal call appeared correct.

Cristopher Nilstorp stopped 22 of 25 shots in the game, suffering his first loss of the playoffs.

Neither club found the net in the first period. Shots were pretty even at 10-8 in favor of the Stars. Texas found the net early in the second period though. On a power play carried over from the first, Dustin Jeffrey got behind the defense again off the pass from Travis Morin. Thirteen seconds in and it was 1-0 Texas.

Grand Rapids' captain, Jeff Hoggan, tied things up just under four minutes later also on the power play. He was the recipient of a nice pass from Cory Emmerton in the slot, which he tapped past the right pad of Nilstorp.

As the period's midpoint passed, controversy ensued. David McIntyre whacked the puck down from above the crossbar and into the net. Initially it was called no goal and waved off by referee Geno Binda. After discussing with the goalies and linesmen, the call was overturned, giving Grand Rapids a 2-1 lead.

Insult was added to injury as Andrej Nestrasil beat Nilstorp to the post after an initial great save by the Swedish netminder.

Late in the frame, the former Griffin, Derek Meech, found the net against his old team. Swooping in low, he went behind the net and wrapped around on Mrazek. The late period goal gave Texas life looking to head into the third period.

Cristopher Nilstorp had the save of the game to start the third. On the penalty kill, Grand Rapids broke in 2-on-1. Nilstorp robbed the Griffins glovehand after a perfect 2-on-1 pass.

Down to their final minute, Texas pulled Nilstorp and got a few chances with the extra skater. Ultimately, they could not find the net.

Texas will look to re-rack and take Game 5 on Friday. Either way, Game 6 will be necessary back in Cedar Park on Sunday evening.

Tonight's lines:
McKenzie-Morin-Ranford
Hedden-Dowling-Henderson
Jeffrey-Mueller-Glennie
Petersen-Faksa-Stransky

Jokipakka-Nemeth
Oleksiak-Meech
Labrie-Fortunus

Nilstorp

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Gaunce, Guptill, Robinson, Troock, Peters, Vause, Wrenn, Byström (scratched)
Klingberg, Hulak, Ritchie (injury)

Today's attendance was 5,089.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Grand Rapids - May 14 2014

Comments

  1. Refs really played judge, jury, and executioner on that one. Some of those calls (and especially that goal) seemed pretty one-sided for playoffs, considering they waved off our goal last game.
    Sad to hear Jurco has an injury, but glad he may not play after not returning for the second period. That's one less good forward to worry about.

    ReplyDelete

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