AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Come Home to Play Six of Next Seven

Published on November 3, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Unpack the Suitcase: After traveling 3,700 miles by bus to play seven of their first 10 games on the road, the Griffins will finally enjoy an extended stay in their own beds beginning this Wednesday versus Cincinnati. They'll play four straight and six of the next seven at Van Andel Arena, where they are off to their best start ever (2-0-1-0).

Parent Club Night: When the 2003 Calder Cup finalist Hamilton Bulldogs visit this Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the Griffins will celebrate their affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings by wearing authentic Red Wings jerseys, complete with the winged wheel crest. The jerseys will be auctioned to fans after the game, with proceeds benefiting the Williams Syndrome Association and Heart of Hockeytown charities. Fans can meet Doug Brown, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Red Wings, courtesy of Kodiak Construction. He will sign autographs in the arena lobby from 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Red Wings window decal, the first Throw for Dough of the season will be held, and six Griffins players will sign autographs for 15 minutes after the game.

Homecoming for Kunitz: Former Ferris State standout Chris Kunitz will return to West Michigan on Wednesday as a member of the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, who will visit Van Andel Arena at 7 p.m. Kunitz,, who signed with the parent Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at the conclusion of his Bulldogs career last April, is currently tied for the Ducks' lead with three goals. A 2003 Hobey Baker finalist, he was also named the CCHA Player of the Year and a First Team All-American after leading the league and ranking second nationally with 79 points (35-44-79) in 42 games...As a preview of the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic (Feb. 8-9 at Van Andel Arena), participants from the Griffins Amateur Hockey League will take to the ice during the first intermission to display one of the seven elements that will comprise the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Feb. 8.

Mowers of Power: After chipping in two goals last Wednesday versus Toronto, Mark Mowers repeated the feat on Friday in Cincinnati, scoring shorthanded in the first period and netting the game-winner on the power play with 13:31 remaining in the game. He earned the Griffins' nomination for Sher-Wood AHL Player of the Week (4-1-5, plus-3), accounting for four of the Griffins' nine goals despite attempting only seven shots (57%). Mowers, who owns a four-game point streak (5-1-6), leads the Griffins and ranks among the AHL's leaders with 10 points (T12th), seven goals (T1st) and three game-winning goals (T1st).

Road Life's Not So Bad: Joey MacDonald made 32 saves last Friday to lead Grand Rapids to a 3-2 win at Cincinnati, improving his road record this season to 3-0 with a 1.95 GAA and a 0.937 save percentage. He has enjoyed incredible road success as a Griffin, posting a mark of 14-2-0 (0.875) with a 2.01 GAA and a 0.926 save percentage in hostile territory over the last two years.

Milestone for Pic: Michel Picard is set to play in his 300th regular season game as a Griffin this Wednesday against Cincinnati. Picard, who is just 10 regular season games shy of 1,000 as a pro, trails only Travis Richards (541 games) on Grand Rapids' all-time games played list.

Hot Hands: Darryl Bootland owns a three-game goal scoring streak. He has lit the lamp in four of the last five games, and currently stands second on the Griffins with five goals...Jeff Nelson, who starred for the Griffins during the 1996-97 IHL season, has one assist in each of his three games since rejoining the team on a professional tryout last Tuesday. Nelson now has 699 points (243-456-699) in 809 professional games.

How's That for an Answer?: Grand Rapids has responded to its lone tie and both losses this season by winning each subsequent contest. As a result, the Griffins have earned points in six of their last eight games (5-2-1-0). They'll look to rebound from Saturday's 4-3 loss at Chicago when they host the Mighty Ducks on Wednesday.

Dubious Distinction: The Griffins enjoyed a 3-0 lead against Chicago on Saturday before falling 4-3. As such, it marked the first game in the Griffins' eight seasons in which they held a three-goal lead but ending up losing in regulation. In addition, it was the first time since a 3-3 tie versus the Wolves on Oct. 19, 2002, that the Griffins took a three-goal lead but did not earn a win.

Rare Stumble: Grand Rapids' 4-3 loss at Chicago on Saturday broke the Griffins' five-game winning streak against the Wolves and was just the third loss in their last nine visits (6-2-0-1) to Allstate Arena (including playoffs).

Models of Efficiency: The Griffins may not register many shots on goal, but at least they make them count. Grand Rapids ranks last in the league by averaging just 23.00 shots per game, but its scoring average of 2.80 stands ninth and its team shooting percentage of 12.2 (28-for-230) is the second-highest on the circuit.

Crowd Pleasers: The Griffins stand fourth in the league with an average attendance of 7,629. Grand Rapids has played before the AHL's three largest crowds this season: 12,818 at Allstate Arena on Nov. 1, 10,944 at Allstate Arena on Oct. 11, and 10,834 at Van Andel Arena on Oct. 18.

Open Early and Late: Grand Rapids' offense has thrived in first periods and overtimes this season. The Griffins have outscored their opposition 16-7 over the opening 20 minutes and 2-0 in extra sessions, but they've been out-gunned by an aggregate 17-10 margin over the second and third frames.

By the Numbers: Where the Griffins rank among the AHL's 28 teams in various statistical categories:
* Power Play: 6-for-56, 10.7% (24th)
* Penalty Killing: 47-for-55, 85.5% (12th)
* Penalty Minutes: 15.10 avg. (27th)
* Goals For: 2.80 avg. (8th)
* Goals Against: 2.40 avg. (T9th)
* Shots For: 23.00 avg. (28th)
* Shots Against: 28.90 avg. (13th)
* Attendance: 7,629 avg. (4th)

Red Wings Update: The Griffins are in the second season of a five-year affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings stand in third place in the NHL's Central Division (5-5-1-0), following a 4-4 tie at Edmonton on Saturday. They'll visit Vancouver tonight at 10 (FSN).

Follow the Griffins Live on the Net: Internet broadcasts of all Griffins games are available live at griffinshockey.com, courtesy of Sportsjuice.com. In addition, new for the 2003-04 season, fans and media can log on to the team's official site or go to theahl.com to view live in-progress box scores of all AHL games.

The AHL's Grand Event!: The Griffins will be in the hockey spotlight this winter, when they and the city of Grand Rapids host the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic at Van Andel Arena. The two-day event will consist of the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, Feb. 8, followed by the AHL All-Star Game on Monday, Feb. 9. Of the 295 players that have taken part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, 91 percent have competed in the NHL. For ticket and event information, visit griffinshockey.com/all-star.

Get Your Tickets: Tickets for all regular season games at Van Andel Arena are currently on sale. Fans can visit The Zone at Van Andel Arena or any Tickets PLUS location (including Meijer stores), call 222-4000/800-585-3737 or visit griffinshockey.com. Full-season ticket packages, mini-plans and group tickets for all Griffins games are available by calling 800-2-HOCKEY.

This Week's Scouting Report

Wed., Nov. 5 vs. Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (3-4-2-0) - Van Andel Arena - 7 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM at 6:40 p.m. Season Series: 1-1-0-0 Overall, 0-0-0-0 Home. Third of 10 meetings overall, first of five in Grand Rapids. All-Time Series: 11-3-2-0 Overall, 5-0-2-0 Home. Cincinnati Affiliation: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Head Coach: Brad Shaw (2nd season). Quack Me Up: The Griffins have never lost to the Mighty Ducks at home, posting a 5-0-2-0 series record at Van Andel Arena...Grand Rapids has points in 10 of the last 11 meetings overall with Cincinnati (9-1-1-0)...The Queen City quackers boast the AHL's sixth-best power play at 19.6% (9-for-46)...The Ducks average 34.67 shots per game, third in the league...Former Ferris State standout Chris Kunitz is tied for the Ducks' lead with three goals.

Sat., Nov. 8 vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (5-5-0-1) - Van Andel Arena - 7:30 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM at 7:10 p.m. Season Series: 2-0-0-0 Overall, 0-0-0-0 Home. Third of four meetings overall, first of two in Grand Rapids. All-Time Series: 6-2-0-0 Overall, 2-1-0-0 Home. Hamilton Affiliation: Montreal Canadiens. Head Coach: Doug Jarvis (1st season). Dog Day Afternoon: Last season's Calder Cup runners-up have posted a solid 4-2 road mark thus far...Hamilton is tied for the AHL lead with three shorthanded goals...The Dogs allow only 26.18 shots per game, sixth in the league...Tomas Plekanec is tied for 12th in the scoring race with 10 points (4-6-10)...Hamilton defenseman Philippe Plante contributed to each of the Griffins' four consecutive division championships (2000-2003).

This Week's Games:
Wed., Nov. 5 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM
Sat., Nov. 8 Hamilton Bulldogs at GRIFFINS 7:30 p.m. WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM

Last Week's Results:
Wed., Oct. 29 Toronto Roadrunners 3 at GRIFFINS 3 OT 5-2-1-0, 11 pts. (T1st, West Division)
Fri., Oct. 31 GRIFFINS 3 at Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 2 6-2-1-0, 13 pts. (T1st, West Division)
Sat., Nov. 1 GRIFFINS 3 at Chicago Wolves 4 6-3-1-0, 13 pts. (T2nd, West Division)

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2003


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