Griffins even series with Stars after 3-2 win in Game 4

By Pat Evans – 

GRAND RAPIDS – The second period held all the scoring in the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 win against the Texas Stars Wednesday at Van Andel Arena.

The win ties the series up, after the Griffins’ 5-2 victory Tuesday.

“It’s a good character check, they took it to us down there in Texas,” Griffins captain Jeff Hoggan said. “We have to keep the pedal down and keep pushing.”

A pivotal Game 5 will take place Friday night at Van Andel.

Tonight’s game started with a bang when Griffins forward Riley Sheahan fired a shot at Texas goalie Cristopher Nilstorp, who immediately called timeout after the puck had found its way up into his neck/chin area.

The first half of the first period was a drastic change from Tuesday night, which saw the play stick to the Griffins zone for much of the time. Wednesday night it was the Griffins who came out  skating with vigor.

“It’s just the ebb and flow of the series,” Grand Rapids head coach Jeff Blashill said. “We just need to find a way to get to four. We’re a real good hockey team, they’re a real good hockey team.”

Still, the period ended scoreless, as Texas came back and ended up leading the period in shots, 10-8.

The second half started with a penalty to Griffins captain Jeff Hoggan rolling over and Stars forward Dustin Jeffrey slipping by the penalty kill and heading untouched past the blue line, deking around Griffins goalie Petr Mrazek before netting the puck past the goalie’s right leg pad.

A minute later, the Stars almost recorded a second goal, but failed to capitalize.

A display of sharp passing from the Griffins helped land them on the scoreboard with a power-play goal 3:38 into the period. Forward Corey Emmerton snapped a cross-ice pass to Teemu Pulkkinen, who crossed it back over to Hoggan, who tapped the puck home as he was skating across the net.

“It was good, we needed a lift,” Hoggan said. “I took a bad penalty and they got one, so it was nice to get one back and start us rolling a bit.”

The game stayed tied up until a batted puck into the Stars’ net by the Griffins’ David McIntyre was reviewed and allowed 10:36 into the period.

Tomas Jurco — who scored a hat trick in Tuesday’s 5-2 win — sustained a head injury early in the game, and sat out the rest of the contest. Andrej Nestrasil made the most of his time with the top line as he took a pass from Mitch Callahan and buried the puck at the 13:58 mark of the second period.

Former Griffin Derek Meech kept the Stars in the game heading into the third period when he found the net on an odd, bouncing goal with 44 seconds left in the second period.

There were a plethora of shots and chances in the third period, but neither team could capitalize. Mrazek finished the game with 33 saves.

“It always feels good when you get the win,” Mrazek said. “I could play tomorrow if it’s a big game. This game is over, we got the win. It’s nice, but when I wake up tomorrow, I have to be focused for the Friday game.”

It’s a sign of what’s to come in the next few games.

“It’s a hard fought game,” Hoggan said. “That was our first down to the wire game and that’s your typical playoff hockey and that’s what you’ll see the next few games.”