George Poirier scored twice and goaltender Jack Erickson set a career high with 43 saves in the Grit’s 3-2 win over New Mexico to secure their first series sweep in franchise history on Saturday afternoon at the Greeley Ice Haus.
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The scoring started in a hurry in the first period as Poirier spotted the Grit to a 1-0 lead. Lucas Mann forced a turnover behind the New Mexico net and tossed a backhand pass to the front of the net. Poirier blasted a shot past Ice Wolve goaltender Gavin Schahn just 1:19 into the first period. Less than 30 seconds later, New Mexico forward Johnny Johansson parked at the edge of the crease and tipped a shot from the point underneath Erickson to tie the game, 1-1, with 18:11 to play in the period. Both teams had a power play opportunity midway through the frame, but were unable to convert. The scoreline remained knotted at 1-1 headed into the first intermission.
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The two teams battled through an even second period with few chances for either side for the duration of the frame. Both teams had a power play chance and neither could convert. The Grit penalty kill has been perfect over the past three games and used the success to buoy their offense late in the period. Poirier forced a takeaway in the defensive zone and steamed the length of the ice, powered to the front of the net, and punched the puck past Schahn to give Colorado the lead, 2-1, with 1:57 left.
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Looking for an insurance marker, Colorado’s second line came through. Alex German sped over the Ice Wolve blue line and laid a drop pass for a trailing Lucas Mann. Mann blistered a wrist shot over the left pad of Schahn and into the net for his first goal of the season to double the lead, 3-1, with 15:41 remaining in regulation. From there, Erickson became the star of the show. The netminder was peppered with a 22-shot onslaught in the final period, punctuated by a late New Mexico power play and extra attacker for the final three minutes. Erickson made five saves on the power play and as the Ice Wolves got back to full strength, an Andrew Earl snapshot finally pierced the Grit defense to make it a one-goal contest, 3-2, with 10.7 seconds left in regulation. Aiming for a tying goal, a post-whistle skirmish broke out between Evan Smutney and Tanner George. The two tossed shoves and attempted punches before the linesman separated the pair with five seconds left. The crowd of 450 rose to their feet as the final buzzer sounded and Colorado poured off the bench to close the book on their third win in four games.
