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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Drop Wild Finale, 6-3

April 5, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Houston - The Grand Rapids Griffins dropped a 6-3 decision to the Houston Aeros in the regular season finale on Saturday night at the Compaq Center.

The Griffins (48-22-8-2) gave up 177 goals, one shy of the league mark of 176, over the course of the season. Grand Rapids did earn the league's all-time mark for goals surrendered in road games, giving up 84. The Griffins also gave up 177 goals, which will lead the league in goals against for the second consecutive season.

Coming into the game, Michel Picard trailed Jean-Guy Trudel by three points for the league's scoring title. Picard tallied two goals and an assist, but still fell one point short as Trudel scored Houston's third goal.

The Griffins fell behind 2-0 on goals by Mark Cullen and Kyle Wanvig. Cullen scored at 10:01 of the opening period from Zbynek Michalek. Wanvig's tally came at 11:48 of the first period from Curtis Murphy and Rickard Wallin.

The Aeros (47-23-7-3) doubled their lead on goals by Trudel and Hnat Domenichelli. Trudel scored from Cullen and Domenichelli 1:28 into the second period, chasing starter Joey MacDonald from the crease. MacDonald stopped 10 of 13 shots in 21:28 of action.

Marc Lamothe replaced MacDonald for his 60th appearance of the season, but was greeted by a goal by Domenichelli from Michalek and Marc Cavosie 5:32 into the middle frame.

The Griffins answered with a power play marker 7:45 by Picard from Jason Williams and Stacy Roest making the score 4-1.

Picard used a clever move behind the net to create space for a power play tally by Mark Mowers 16:34 of the second period cutting the lead to 4-2. Derek King also assisted on the goal. Mowers' 34 goals is the second-highest single-season goal total by a Griffin, equaling the mark by Jeff Nelson in 1996-97.

The Aeros answered with a goal late in the second period, stretching the lead to 5-2 at 19:47 on a goal by Tony Tuzzolino from Jay Henderson. Houston opened a four-goal margin when Cullen scored his second goal of the night 2:45 into the third period from Michalek.

Michel Picard pulled to within one point of Trudel when he tallied his 32nd goal of the season from Mowers and Ed Campbell 8:44 into the final frame, making the score 6-3.

Lamothe stopped 15 of 18 shots in a losing effort, while Johan Holmqvist made 25 saves for the win.

The Griffins return to action when they host the first game of the Western Conference quarterfinals on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m.

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