GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Griffins got their season off to a good start Friday, beating Colorado 3-2 in the season opener for both teams at Van Andel Arena
The visiting Eagles led 2-1 after two periods, but Taro Hirose tied it for the Griffins just seven seconds into the third and scored the game-winner midway through the period.
Michael Hutchinson, signed as goalie insurance by the Detroit Red Wings in the offseason, was stellar in net, stopping 40 of 42 shots.
Colorado couldn’t take advantage of a slow start by the Griffins despite outshooting them 18-4 in the first period. Despite that, Austin Czarnik gave the Griffins a 1-0 lead at the 13:18 mark with assists from Hirose and Simon Edvinsson.
Griffins Rally in Third Period
Colorado took the lead on a power-play goal midway through the second period. Hirose tied it early in the third with assists from Albert Johansson and Czarnik, then got the game-winner on the power play at 11:35 with assists from Jonatan Berggren and Elmer Soderholm.
The Griffins were outshot by the Eagles 42-25. Edvinsson had four shots to lead Grand Rapids. Hirose, Hutchinson and Czarnik were the three stars for the Griffins.
It was the first-ever meeting between the teams, who will play for the second time this season tonight in Grand Rapids. They’ll finish the season series with two games at Colorado next weekend.
This and That
Four of the five Swedish prospects (Edvinsson, Johansson, Berggren and Soderholm) got on the scoresheet for the Griffins. Only William Wallinder was held without a point. … It was Johansson’s 200th game for Grand Rapids, while Czarnik notched his 200th assist as a Griffin. … It was the first game for Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson and his coaching staff. It’s the first season in 20 years the Griffins have begun the season with an entirely new coaching staff.
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