Tonight begins a big home and home weekend showdown with the Cleveland Monsters. Grand Rapids is trying to remain in first place and Cleveland is looking to make their way into the post season.
The Griffins enter the game tonight after snapping their season high four game losing streak. They beat the Moose in overtime on Wednesday night, 2-1. Axel Holmstrom scored the winning goal in his second career pro game.
Matt Lorito was recalled by the Red Wings due to an injury that will keep Andreas Athanasiou out of the lineup tonight. The Red Wings are playing their final two games of the season tonight and tomorrow and will close out the Joe Louis Arena tomorrow night when they host the New Jersey Devils.
Starting Monday, all players who are in Detroit will be back with the Griffins. Tyler Bertuzzi and Eric Tangradi will also be out of the lineup again while they continue to battle minor injuries.
The Monsters are 9-1-1 in their previois 11 games. Right now, they are in a battle for the final playoff spot in the Central Division with the Charlotte Checkers.
Jared Coreau is in net once again for the Griffins. He has a 2.3 goal against average on the season. Tonight will mark the home debut for Rookie Axel Holmstrom.
The puck will drop for the game just after 7 p.m. Tune in on WOOD Radio or ahllive.com for all of the action.
Winged Octopus 