AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Good fortune at home ends with 5-3 loss to Philly

Published on February 29, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - Despite a furious third-period rally, Grand Rapids' franchise-record 16-game home unbeaten streak and record-tying 10-game home winning streak came to frustrating conclusions on Sunday with a 5-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phantoms at Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins surrendered four goals in the second period before scoring twice in a span of 1:31 in the third to pull within 4-3. But a shorthanded, empty net goal by John Slaney at 19:23, coming off a play that the Griffins vehemently argued should have been blown dead when Peter White closed his hand on the puck, resulted in their first home loss since Dec. 31.

The Griffins (37-16-8-0), who completed the busiest two-month home schedule in their history with an amazing 13-1-3-0 record, will stage their next four games in Texas, beginning with this Thursday's tilt against the San Antonio Rampage.

The Griffins used their potent power play to score the only goal of the opening period. From the right point, Derek King unleashed a shot that deflected off a Phantoms defenseman and over the glove of Antero Niittymaki at the 10:17 mark.

The 1-0 advantage lasted just 39 seconds into the middle frame, as Philadelphia (34-19-6-1) capitalized on its own power play to knot the score. Slaney took a shot from along the right boards that Joey MacDonald appeared to have under control, but the puck fluttered off him into the top of the net. The Phantoms then grabbed the lead at 10:33 of the period, putting the Griffins in a scoreboard deficit for just the second time in their last 11 home games. Boyd Kane raced uncovered down the slot and tapped in a White pass from the right side.

When Kane deposited a power play tally off a broken play just 1:15 later, Grand Rapids faced its first two-goal hole at home since Jan. 21, the last game before its 10-game winning streak at Van Andel Arena began. P.J. Stock then made it a three-goal cushion for the visitors at 18:12, marking the most goals allowed in a single period by Grand Rapids this season.

Tomas Kopecky sparked the comeback at 12:42 of the third, streaking down the right side and beating Niittymaki to the far post on a beautiful shot from the faceoff dot. Less than two minutes later, a shot from the right side by Jeff Nelson caromed off a Phantoms defender and into the cage with 5:47 still to play, giving Nelson three points on the afternoon.

The Griffins were on the power play with MacDonald pulled for an extra attacker when White's undetected slight of hand sealed their fate. As a result, MacDonald suffered just the second defeat in his last 14 games (11-2-1) despite 25 saves, while Niittymaki made the same number of stops for the win.

View this game's official box score on-line at griffinshockey.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2004


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