Lake Erie doubles up Grand Rapids 6-3

(lakeeriemonsters.com) – For the second straight night, the Lake Erie Monsters netted three first period goals and held on for a victory; this time by a 6-3 score over the Grand Rapids Griffins. The win concludes the preseason schedule for the Monsters, who end the exhibition campaign with a 2-0-0-0 record. Scoring for the Monsters were Mike Sgarbossa, who had two goals for the second straight preseason game, James MartinPaul Carey, and Cody Sol. The Monsters open the regular season Friday at 7:00 p.m. in Grand Rapids.

 
 
Kenny Ryan tipped a Joey Hishon point shot with the Monsters on the power play, giving Lake Erie the 1-0 lead at 6:31 of the first period. Gabe Beaupre also assisted on the goal. Just over two minutes later, Grand Rapids Marek Tvrdon tied the game, but the Monsters would counter.
 
Martin scored on a wrist shot from the right circle, assisted by Nathan Condon, at 15:47 of the first period. The Monsters extended their lead to 3-1 when Carey darted in on a shorthanded breakaway, and beat Griffins goalie Jared Coreau on a low shot with 54.9 seconds left in the first period. After 20 minutes, the Monsters held a 3-1 lead, just as they did the previous evening.
 
Each team tallied a goal in the second period. Martin Frk pulled the Griffins to within a goal with 12:33 left in the second period, but Sgarbossa scored on a one-timer for the Monsters with 26.3 seconds left in the second period. With the Monsters on a power play, Sgarbossa took a pass from Markus Lauridsen in the left circle and quickly beat Coreau five-hole. 
 
The Griffins’ Shane Berschbach again pulled his team to within a goal at 4:36 of the third period, but the Monsters answered with a pair of goals and cruised to the win. Scoring in the third period for the Monsters were Sgarbossa with 12:38 left, and Sol with 11:44 left in the frame. 
 
Calvin Pickard stopped 36 of 39 shots in net for the Monsters.