AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

2-1 Win Gives Griffins 3-0 Lead over Wolves

Published on May 1, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Rosemont, Ill. - Facing a Chicago Wolves club in desperate need for a victory on Thursday, the Grand Rapids Griffins built a first-period lead and rode the stellar goaltending of Marc Lamothe the rest of the way, taking a 2-1 win at Allstate Arena.

Lamothe finished with 29 saves, including 21 over the final two periods, as the Griffins seized a commanding 3-0 lead over the defending Calder Cup champions in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. Grand Rapids will have an opportunity to close-out the Wolves on Friday night in Game 4, set for 8:30 p.m. at Allstate Arena.

The Griffins scored a pair of special teams goals within a span of 1:11 of the opening period to grab early control of the contest. During a power play, Mark Mowers dished the puck to Darryl Bootland low in the right circle, and the red-hot rookie's shot found its way past Norm Maracle at 7:48, giving him three straight games with a goal.

Grand Rapids then struck shorthanded at 8:59 for a two-goal cushion. Rob Collins corralled the puck at his own blueline and skated off on a 2-on-1 with Stacy Roest. Collins sent a cross-ice pass to the Griffins' leading playoff scorer, who beat Maracle with a slapshot from the left side. The goal marked the third in three games for Roest as well.

The Griffins, who had killed all 17 opponent power play chances to this point in the Calder Cup playoffs, finally surrendered a goal while down a man. J.P. Vigier walked in to the left faceoff dot and ripped a wrister past Lamothe's blocker at 17:55, giving Grand Rapids a one-goal lead at the first break. The score remained 2-1 after 40 minutes as well, thanks to a brilliant display of netminding by Lamothe, who stopped all 14 shots faced in the second period.

Each team had its chances to score during a pair of power plays during the third period, but Lamothe and Maracle held firm. The Griffins had actually appeared to push their lead to 3-1 when Michel Picard put a shot past Maracle during a 2-on-1 with just 4:28 remaining, but the goal was waived off by referee Craig Spada.

Lamothe has stopped 57 of 59 Wolves shots over the last two games, while Maracle benefited from facing only 15 shots, the Griffins' fewest ever in a playoff game.

The Griffins, who are looking to oust the Wolves for the first time in three postseason meetings, have an all-time record of 3-2 in road games when their opponent faces elimination, but they'll have their work cut out against a Chicago team that is 6-0 the last two seasons when facing elimination.

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central