Griffins defeat Milwaukee in OT
February 3, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
MILWAUKEE, WI - A clutch power play goal by Darryl Bootland with 1.4 seconds remaining in regulation helped the Grand Rapids Griffins save a point in the standings, and led to a breathtaking 5-4 come-from-behind overtime win over the Milwaukee Admirals Friday night at the Bradley Center.
The Griffins got on the board first as Matt Ellis delivered a crisp backhand pass directly in front of the net, and AHL goal-scoring leader Donald MacLean was quick to capitalize for his 33rd marker of the campaign at 6:23 - extending his personal point streak to 12 games, second-best to a 14-game run by Jiri Hudler to start the season.
Milwaukee notched a short-handed goal after Hudler surrendered a bouncing puck at the Admirals' blue line, as Scottie Upshall converted a swift no-look pass from Greg Classen to forge a deadlock at one-all with 14:03 remaining in the second period. Valtteri Filppula quickly redeemed his teammate's flub just moments later on the same power play, softly deflecting a rebound from Bryan Helmer's point shot past Pekka Rinne to take back the lead for Grand Rapids at 2-1.
The Admirals squared the score at two at 10:18 of the second, as the Griffins yielded yet another goal directly off a faceoff loss in their own zone - an ominous trend of late. Defenseman Nathan Lutz embezzled a shot past Joey MacDonald off an initial shot by Shea Weber from a draw won by Brendan Segal. Derek Meech countered for the Griffins with a pinpoint wrister from the high slot off a beautiful feed from Kent McDonell behind the net to give Grand Rapids its third lead of the night, 3-2 at 4:16 of the third.
A power play strike by Gamache tied the score yet again for Milwaukee at three-all, with 13:26 remaining. Then, as Grand Rapids failed to clear the zone, Rich Peverley gave the Admirals their first lead of the night mid-way through the third, 4-3.
Staring defeat directly in the eyes, the Griffins delivered a crushing 1-2 punch for an improbable victory - first with Bootland's marker in the closing moments of the third on a late power play, then with Helmer's tailor-made game-winner in overtime on the team's eighth power play of the night.
Grand Rapids improves to 34-12-1-3 on the season with the win, and maintains a six-point advantage over the Manitoba Moose for first place in the North Division. The Griffins return home to take on the Syracuse Crunch at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Van Andel Arena.
American Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2006
- Admirals Fall to Griffins in OT - Milwaukee Admirals
- Stars lose in Manitoba - Iowa Chops
- P-Bruins Fall to River Rats in Shootout 4-3 - Providence Bruins
- Rivermen Outscore Toronto 6-4 on the Road - Peoria Rivermen
- Wolves Slip Past Knights, 4-3 - Abbotsford Heat
- Rampage Earn Point - San Antonio Rampage
- Phantoms come back for point - Adirondack Phantoms
- Dominant Second Period Brings Victory Home For Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Griffins defeat Milwaukee in OT - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Admirals veto Senators' comeback bid - Norfolk Admirals
- Reid released from PTO - Norfolk Admirals
- Barons Comeback Bid Falls Short, 4-3 - Cleveland Barons
- Sound Tigers Beaten 4-3 In Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - Bridgeport Islanders
- âDogs Doubled by Pirates - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Snow Forecast For Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Admirals add blueliner Eberly - Norfolk Admirals
- Iowa captain recalled by Dallas - Iowa Chops
- Ivanans returns to Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Rampage Game Day - San Antonio Rampage
- Baines Earns CCM/AHL Milestone of the Month Award - Norfolk Admirals
- O'Sullivan named Rbk Hockey/AHL Rookie of the Month - Houston Aeros
- Watch the Rivermen Online This Weekend - Peoria Rivermen
- Sabourin named Koho/AHL Goaltender of the Month - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Canzanello, Sugden Signing Autographs on February 21 - Syracuse Crunch
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Rampage Receive Zinger from Capitals - San Antonio Rampage
- Stars Auction Jerseys - Iowa Chops
- Bears Acquire Doull from Rampage - Hershey Bears
- Bears Welcome Radio Affiliate - Hershey Bears
- Bears Return from Break, Face Phantoms Tonight - Hershey Bears
- Bulldogs' Amazing Baby Race Next Sunday - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Olvecky Out for Four - AHL
- Bulldogs Set to Scuttle Pirates on Friday - Hamilton Bulldogs
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