Dries scores twice as Griffins beat Monsters in opener
Grand Rapids went 5-for-5 on the penalty kill, including two 5-on-3 stands, in a 5-2 win at Cleveland on opening night.
Sheldon Dries scored twice for the Grand Rapids Griffins in a 5-2 road victory over the Cleveland Monsters on Friday, Oct. 2. The result opened Grand Rapids’ 2026-27 AHL season at Rocket Arena.
William Lagesson gave the Griffins the lead at 9:21 of the first period after a pass from Kienan Draper. Dries added an unassisted goal at 14:32, before Guillaume Richard replied for Cleveland at 14:50.
Grand Rapids held Cleveland scoreless on five power plays, including two stretches with a two-man disadvantage in the second period. Sutter Muzzatti scored on a power-play rebound at 8:57 of that period in his professional debut. Luke Tuch answered at 9:18, leaving the Monsters down 3-2 entering the third.
Dries extended the lead at 3:56 of the final period by tipping Dominik Shine’s shot. Théo Rochette added an empty-net goal at 19:35, his first in the AHL. Rochette, Muzzatti, Noah Dower Nilsson and Justice Christensen all made their AHL debuts.
Michal Postava made 18 saves for Grand Rapids. Pheonix Copley stopped 21 shots for Cleveland. The teams play again in Cleveland on Sunday, Oct. 4.
