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Grand Rapids Hockey Offseason News

-Sam Rendle, Tony Palkki, and John Skrbec have been named captains for the 2008-2009 season.

-J.R. Mackey has been awarded the 2007-2008 Grand Rapids Hobey Baker Award.

-Corey Kosak was named Player's Choice team MVP for the 2007-2008 season.

-Sam Sparen was named Player's Choice team Most Determined Player for the 2007-2008 season.

-Pat Rendle has been named Grand Rapids High School Athletic Director as Wayne Pender is set to resign at the end of the school year.

Grand Rapids @ Brainerd
Brainerd Area Civic Center
12/11/2007

Game Preview:
The Brainerd Warriors may no longer be part of section 7AA, but they will no doubt be ready for battle on Tuesday. Brainerd has never beaten Grand Rapids, but last year they walked out of the IRA Civic Center with a 2-2 tie. The Warriors are off to their typical fast start. They are 2-0-0 and most recently knocked off a very good Elk River team 2-1. The Thunderhawks started slow, but have faired better lately. They are 2-0-0 on the road, both those wins being in Iron Range Conference games. Robb Roy leads Grand Rapids in points (3g, 7a, 10p) and will look to help lead the Thunderhawks against the Warriors. Both teams are looking to replace their starting goalies from last year. Both Reidar Jensen (GR) and Landon Snider (BR) graduated last season. Trevor Tabaka is 0-1-1 and Kyle Figgins is 2-0-0 for Grand Rapids thus far. A.J. Underwood has yet to see varsity action.

Last meeting: Grand Rapids 2, Brainerd 2 (F/OT)-12/12/2006. Grand Rapids forward Ben Cahill tallied a short handed goal and Patrick White scored on the power play, but Sam Holland of Brainerd scored twice himself in the 2-2 tie. Reidar Jensen stopped 31 shots while Landon Snider stopped 41.

Notes: Sam Rendle and Robb Roy each have one career assist vs. Brainerd. Those two points are the only two Grand Rapids returns in games vs. the Warriors.

Special Teams: Grand Rapids is 5/25 (20%) on the power play this season and they have scored at least one power play goal in every games. The penalty kill continues to be outstanding as it sits at 95% (22/23).

Line Score: Goals (top), Shots (bottom)

Box Score:

1st Period-1. GR, Sam Rendle (Robb Roy) (PP) 4:20; 2. BR, Luke Swanson (Christian Engel, Michael Monda) 8:42; 3. BR, Drew Olsen (Joe Frazer) (PP) 12:28

2nd Period-4. GR, Tony Palkki (Jack Moore, Kyle Kleinendorst) 1:04; 5. GR, Shane Greniger (Eric Bishop) 2:25; 6. GR, Robb Roy (John Skrbec, Sam Rendle) 16:52

3rd Period-7. GR, Corey Kosak, 8:02; 8. GR, Robb Roy (Sam Sparen) 9:10

Saves-A.J. Underwood (GR) 24, Reid Mimmack (BR) 17, Kyle Peterson 12

Three Stars:
3. Sam Rendle (GR)
2. A.J. Underwood (GR)
1. Robb Roy (GR)

Game Summary:
Official start time: 7:42 p.m.
Official end time: 9:28 p.m.
Official game time: 1 hour, 46 minutes

Grand Rapids got off to a bit of a slow start in Brainerd, but another big second period helped the Thunderhawks defeat the Warriors 6-2. Brainerd lead 2-1 over Grand Rapids after one period. Sam Rendle put Grand Rapids up 1-0 early in the 1st period. Brainerd would answer with the final two goals of the period as Luke Swanson and Drew Olson would tally. Grand Rapids turned the game around in the second period. The Thunderhawks scored five unanswered goals in the final two frames to cruise to the victory. Tony Palkki, Shane Greniger, and Robb Roy scored the 2nd period goals for Grand Rapids. The third period was more of the same. Grand Rapids added to their lead with an unassisted goal by Corey Kosak. Robb Roy continued his hot start with his second goal of the game and his fifth of the season to cap off the scoring for the Thunderhawks. Each team scored one power play goal in the game. A.J. Underwood picked up his first win in a Grand Rapids uniform in his first start with the club. The Thunderhawks continue their outstanding unbeaten streak against Brainerd. Grand Rapids has still never been beaten by Brainerd. The Thunderhawks improve to 3-1-1 on the season and 3-0-0 on the road. The Warriors fall to 2-1-0. Grand Rapids improves to 9-0-2 in the all-time series vs. Brainerd.

Photos are now up.

Photo of the game:

Courtesy of Shannon Merritt

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