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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Finish in Dead Heat with Roadrunners

October 29, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Griffins on Wednesday were unable to build upon their first-ever 2-0 start on home ice, but the all-star pairing of Mark Mowers and Michel Picard ensured that they at least would not suffer their first defeat at Van Andel Arena.

Mowers scored twice in the second period off assists from Picard, and Grand Rapids (5-2-1-0) stayed unbeaten in front of the home folks with a 3-3 tie in the team's first-ever meeting with the expansion Toronto Roadrunners (2-6-1-0).

A lackluster first period saw the Griffins go to the locker room facing a 2-1 deficit. Toronto's Jani Rita tipped Doug Lynch's shot from the right boards past Marc Lamothe during a power play just 2:33 into the contest, but the Griffins answered on Darryl Bootland's third of the year from the top of the right circle at 6:45.

The Roadrunners enjoyed a 9-5 advantage in shots during the open period, and they made it pay off at 16:01 on another tipped shot, with Peter Sarno redirecting Chad Hinz's blast from the point.

Grand Rapids once again netted an equalizer at the 7:03 mark of the second period. Mowers cut through the slot, took a nifty pass from Picard and slipped a backhand past Chris Madden.

The duo joined forces again at 17:44 to give the Griffins their first lead of the night. On the rush into the Toronto zone, Picard carried the puck down the left side almost to the goal line before threading a cross-crease pass that Mowers tapped in for his fifth of the season.

But the Griffins, who before this season had never earned wins in their first two home games, had to settle for a three-game home point streak after Toronto's Dan Tessier made it 3-3 on his team's second power play tally of the night at 6:48 of the third period.

The Roadrunners, who played the final contest of a season-opening nine-game road swing, finished the night 2-for-6 with the man advantage, while the Griffins failed in each of their half dozen attempts.

Grand Rapids climbed aboard a bus immediately following the game for the 400-mile trip to Cincinnati, where they will face the Mighty Ducks in a 7:35 p.m. start on Friday.

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

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