Griffins snap tie in third period
The Grand Rapids Griffins scored three goals in the third period to top the Texas Stars 5-2 in an Americal Hockey League game at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Saturday night.
Tyler Bertuzzi and Evgeny Svechnikov each scored and assisted on goals to lead the Griffins.
Mark McNeill scored in his home debut for the Stars (2527-1-2) to tie it in the second period, but an onslaught of three goals by Grand Rapids in the final period spoiled the occasion.
Jimmy Howard, on assignment from the Detroit Red Wings, earned the win as he stopped 31 of 33 shots.
Eric Tangradi’s goal in the third period proved to be the winner, though two more goals would follow.
Cole Ully gave the Stars an early lead as he scored a little over six minutes into the first period, assisted by Nick Ebert and Gemel Smith.
Svechnikov tied the game on a power play less than four minutes later and assisted on Bertuzzi’s goal a little more than five minutes after that.
Ben Street gave the Griffins (37-16-1-2) some insurance as he made it 4-2 on a power play with less than four minutes remaining in regulation.
Matt Lorito added an empty-net goal a little more than 30 seconds later.
Justin Peters suffered the loss, allowing four goals as he made 25 saves. will come soon regarding the quarterback’s future. Releasing the 10-year starter is probable, but a trade could also be facilitated.
Romo will turn 37 next month. It’s difficult to envision him spending the last few years of his career being a backup, especially after that statement he read in November, suggesting his passion for winning and competing might burn more than ever.
“Obviously, we all know that he’s going to have the opportunity to look at whatever situation; if there are situations, he’s going to have an opportunity to look at it,” Jones said. “He gets to say and control this situation every bit as much as we do.”
Jones said he had a “real good” extended visit with Romo before the Super Bowl last month. While no decisions were made about Romo’s future, Jones said that could change soon.
“He’s got a high tolerance for ambiguity,” Jones said. “I’ve got a high tolerance for ambiguity. We just don’t have to have this figured as to the ultimate solution for really quite a while here.”
A three-team trade scenario was proposed by the NFL Network on Friday. In that deal, the Redskins would send starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to the 49ers, Romo would go to Washington and the Cowboys would receive San Francisco’s second overall pick in this year’s draft.
Jones shot that idea down as soon as it was presented to him Saturday.
“Nothing factual in any way,” he said. “Haven’t had that discussion with anyone, most of all Romo . ... I wouldn’t have any consideration or comment or speculate on what might fit because I don’t think that anyone has that feeling at this particular point.”
Jones declined to comment on whether there have been any calls about potential trades for Romo.
If he is released, he’d be free to sign with any club. Jones said he and Romo have discussed every aspect of that scenario. With the relationship they’ve built over the years, Jones is confident Romo wouldn’t sign with a rival.
“It’s implied we will work in the best way we can for the mutual interest of Tony and the Cowboys,” Jones said. “We can’t have agreements without it being within the boundaries of the NFL, but when you’ve got a situation like we got, we’ll do the do-right rule. That’s it. Very important. We do the do-right rule. We have that kind of relationship.”
The Cowboys don’t have much 2017 salary cap space. They would gain $5.1 million by releasing Romo on Thursday.
But that’s not enough to force the hand of an owner who still won’t rule out Romo being Dak Prescott’s backup for the upcoming season.
“We’re in a situation right now where we need to see some things happen,” Jones said. “We need to read some tea leaves. We don’t need to be overtly doing something. We don’t need to do that for cap room; we don’t need to do that for any reason. We just need to see some direction, and the way we’ll get it is by coming together and mutually working that direction out. I’m not trying to be vague; all I’m trying to do is say that we don’t have anything to move on at this point.”