Admirals Stifle Griffins, 3-1
Published on February 7, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
Grand Rapids, Mich. - Friday night's game at Van Andel Arena featured two of the top road teams in the American Hockey League. Unfortunately for the Griffins, they happened to be at home.
The Norfolk Admirals (29-15-4-3) increased their road winning streak to seven straight games with a 3-1 victory over Grand Rapids (29-13-7-2), as the South prevailed over the Central in a battle of Western Conference division leaders.
The Griffins, who had lost only once in their last 10 games prior to tonight, will attempt to get back on track on Saturday, when they host the Chicago Wolves at 7:30 p.m. before a sellout crowd of 10,834.
Norfolk tallied the lone goal of the opening period at the 17:54 mark, as Garry Valk came in alone on a shorthanded break and backhanded a shot past Marc Lamothe. The visitors increased their lead to two goals just 4:10 into the middle frame, when Ben Hankinson beat Lamothe five-hole on a sharp-angle shot from low in the right circle.
The Griffins got on the board less than four minutes later. After keeping the puck in the zone and chasing the carom into the right circle, Rob Collins sent a pass into the slot to Hugo Boisvert, who tucked a shot inside the left post from the doorstep at 7:53.
However, Norfolk would reassert its ultimate two-goal cushion before the period expired. Falk was credited with his second of the night during a power play, when his snap shot from the point found its way through a sea of bodies with just 2:12 remaining before intermission.
The Admirals, who earned their first-ever win in four tries against Grand Rapids, have allowed just two goals in their last five road affairs. Their defense held the Griffins to 18 shots on the night, with Craig Andersson turning away all but one.
Lamothe saw his six-game unbeaten streak end despite a 30-save effort.
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