Toronto Marlies Top Grand Rapids Griffins in First Half of Back-to Back

The Toronto Marlies topped the Grand Rapids Griffins 7-3 on Friday night. Toronto improves to 6-3-2-0 on the season.

In the first period, Josiah Slavin got the visitors on the board first, just 7:15 into the frame. Later, Dmitry Ovchinnikov scored his first of the season at 16:22 to give the Marlies a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

In the second period, Tim Gettinger brought the Griffins within one with a power play goal at 7:04. But before the period was over Ovchinnikov and Nick Abruzzese both tallied goals for the Marlies giving them a 4-1 lead after two.

In the final frame, Kieffer Bellows scored just 1:21 into the period to extend the Toronto lead. Grand Rapids responded, though, with goals from Zach Aston-Reese and Amadeus Lombardi. But, Alex Steeves added an empty net goal at 18:32 to make it 6-3. Before the game was over, Ovchinnikov scored his third goal of the game, earning himself his first career AHL hat trick.

Alex Steeves extended his point streak to eight games (7G, 4A), while Max Lajoie and Nick Abruzzese both had three points in the victory. Keith Petruzzelli stopped 21 of the 24 shots he faced in the victory.

The Marlies wrap up their Royal Road Trip on Saturday with the second half of the back-to-back against the Griffins. Puck drop is at 7:00pm on AHLTV.

SCORING SUMMARY

Toronto: J. Slavin (2) (K. Suthers), D. Ovchinnikov (1) (N. Abruzzese, M. Lajoie), D. Ovchinnikov (2) (N. Abruzzese), N. Abruzzese (3) (A. Steeves, M. Lajoie), K. Bellows (3) (J. Blandisi), A. Steeves (7) EN (Unassisted), D. Ovchinnikov (3) (M. Lajoie, T. Niemelä)
Goaltender: K. Petruzzelli (21/24) W

Grand Rapids: T. Gettinger (5) PP (B. Rafferty, T. Hirose), Z. Aston-Reese (1) (N. Stevens, D. Shine), A. Lombardi (1) (C. Mazur, E. Soderblom)
Goaltender: S. Cossa (22/28) L

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ON THE SCORESHEET

• Josiah Slavin opened the scoring at 7:15 of the first period. He has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in games with the Marlies this season.
• Dmitry Ovchinnikov recorded his first career AHL hat trick – collecting goals at 16:22 of the first period, at 8:46 of the second period and at 19:36 of the third period. He has three goals in five games with the Marlies this season.
• Nick Abruzzese scored the game-winning goal at 13:51 of the second period. Heearlier had the primary assists on Ovchinnikov’s first and second period goals. This was his third career three-point game. He has points (2-3-5) in three consecutive games.
• Kieffer Bellows scored at 5:49 of the third period. He has points (3-2-5) in four consecutive games.
• Alex Steeves scored on the empty net at 18:32 of the third period and earlier had the primary assist on Abruzzese’s second period goal. He has 11 points (6-5-11) through eight consecutive games.
• Keenan Suthers recorded the lone assist on Slavin’s first period goal. This was Suthers’ first appearance with the Marlies.
• Max Lajoie registered the secondary assists on Ovchinnikov’s first period goal and Abruzzese’s second period goal. He also picked up the primary assist on Ovchinnikov’s third period goal. This was his third career AHL three-assist game.
• Joseph Blandisi picked up the lone assist on Bellows’ third period goal. He has nine points (3 goals, 6 assists) in nine games this season.
• Topi Niemelä recorded the secondary assist on Ovchinnikov’s third period goal. He has eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in 10 games.
• Keith Petruzzelli stopped 21 of 24 shots he faced.

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TEAM NOTES

• The Marlies went 3-for-4 on the penalty kill and 0-for-5 on the power play. Toronto is 4-2-0-0 when not scoring on the power play and 4-1-2-0 when allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
• Toronto had a 29-24 edge in shots in all situations. Max Lajoie and Alex Steeves led the Marlies with four shots on goal. Toronto is 5-2-2-0 when outshooting their opponent.
• The Marlies are 2-1-0-0 against Central Division opponents and are 1-0-0-0 against the Griffins.
• Toronto is on its annual road trip during the Royal Winter Fair and will spend seven games on the road, returning to Coca-Cola Coliseum on Nov. 18.

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POSTGAME QUOTES

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HEAD COACH JOHN GRUDEN

On the timeout during the third period:

We were down to three lines basically. They just needed a reminder of why they had success at certain times in the game and things were starting to go astray a little bit for us and then they did a good job getting it back. I thought they were outstanding those last seven minutes. We limited their chances and we started simplifying and understanding of why we were in these positions so, it was great to see. I just really liked our team effort from the goaltender out and learning how to win.

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On the energy from the team after being down players:

They feed off one another. They’re all pulling for one another. They care about one another. It’s great for us as a staff to come in and see that. It’s really nice. It makes our job easier. It was outstanding the way they did it. Losing guys before the game, losing guys during, it was crazy. All around really good win.

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NICK ABRUZZESE (1 GOAL, 2 ASSISTS)

On what led to the team’s performance tonight:
It’s just commitment to playing as a team and playing with each other. You saw that in all areas. Special teams was huge, especially that kill with that five-minute major and then at the end of the game, things get a little hectic and guys are stepping up for each other and that’s what you love to see.

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UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time

November 11 at Grand Rapids – 7:00 p.m.
November 18 vs. Manitoba – 4:00 p.m.
November 19 vs. Manitoba – 4:00 p.m.
November 21 vs. Lehigh Valley – 7:00 p.m.
November 26 vs. Cleveland – 4:00 p.m.