Mr. Smith goes to Grand Rapids...and then Rochester...and then Toronto

Busy weekend for Brendan Smith and Grand Rapids.  The Griffins played three games in three nights in three different cities.  I briefly recapped the Friday night's game in the Wings/Ducks preview.  Milwaukee came to Grand Rapids and beat the Griffins 3-2.  Smith had a rough night and ended the game a minus-1 with four penalty minutes, which included a trip to the sin bin with just under three minutes left and the Griffins down one.

On Saturday, the Griffins left Grand Rapids to travel to Rochester, NY to take on the Americans.  Similar to the night before, Smith finished the night with no points and a minus-1 rating.  He also had four penalty minutes.  He had two minutes for tripping midway through the 1st and two minutes for holding early in the 3rd.  The good news was that the Griffins won 4-1.

However, the big story from this game is that Smith may have ended the career of Michael Nylander.  Smith hit Nylander from behind.  The check was described as legal according to The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Nylander was injured when he was checked along the right-wing boards by Griffins' defenseman Brendan Smith.

With Nylander in control of the puck, Smith delivered a solid hit from behind and Nylander fell into the boards at a somewhat awkward angle. The hit appeared to be legal and no penalty was assessed.

You never want to see anyone get hurt on the ice and I'm sure Smith had no intentions of hurting anyone.  Nylander will be undergoing neck surgery and his career is in jeopardy.  Hopefully, he will make a full recovery and will play again.

On Sunday, the Griffins left Rochester and headed north to Toronto to play the Marlies.  The Griffs won the game 6-3.  Smith stayed out of the penalty box and was even on the ice.  He posted two assists in the game.  The first came on an Ilari Filppula goal to put Grand Rapids up 2-0 in the 1st.  His second assist came on a Jan Mursak power play goal in the 2nd. 

Smith is tied with Francis Pare for second in scoring with 6 points (2G, 4A).  He's only one point behind Filppula and Mursak, who have 7 each.

And finally, just over a week ago, some of you may recall that Smith dropped the gloves in his first fight.  Well we finally have video!  Big thanks to @Joe55167 for sending me the link on Twitter.




Let's Go Griffins.