AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Lose to Wolf Pack 3-1

Published on January 2, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. _ Until Friday night, the Grand Rapids Griffins had never played at the Civic/XL Center since joining the AHL from the now-defunct International Hockey League eight seasons ago.

Too bad for Hartford Wolf Pack fans.

The Griffins, the top farm team of the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and perennial AHL title contenders, often appeared as if they had an extra skater on the ice with quick transition in the early going.

But the Wolf Pack played their most complete game of the season and got goals from Mike Ouellette and P.A. Parenteau in the final 9:11 to register a 3-1 victory before 5,963.

"It was nice to start the new year like that," said goalie Miikka Wiikman (31 saves), who was admittedly more focused on his own game after working with Rangers goaltenders coach Benoit Allaire earlier in the week. "They have as good a four lines as any team in the league, so you have to be ready all the time, and we were. We were disciplined and played good defense. It was a pretty good game for us all over."

The Griffins (20-8-4-3) had been on 7-0-1-0 run, including four shutouts in their last six games, as they moved into first place in the North Division and tied for the Western Conference lead with Milwaukee. But the Wolf Pack (17-14-1-3) took the impetus midway through the game and outshot the Griffins 15-10 in the third period.

Ouellette got his first winner of the season at 10:49 off a nifty three-way play with Jordan Owens and Tommy Pyatt, who have been the Wolf Pack's best line the past month. Owens dug the puck out behind the net and got it to the right post to Pyatt, whose blind back pass found Ouellette alone at the far post.

"That line has shown consistent effort and tried to execute the game plan as best they can every game," Wolf Pack coach Ken Gernander said. "Their attention to detail has been great, and you like to see guys who are paying the price and are responsible get rewarded, which isn't always the case.

"It was nice passing (on the winning goal), and you have to find a way to get to the hard areas like the net front. (Ouellette) made his way there, got the puck and was open. It was a good play all around."

It also made a loser of Swedish rookie goalie Daniel Larsson, who had won five in a row, including back-to-back shutouts, and was 10-0-1-1 since a 5-3 loss to Peoria on Nov. 8.

Despite being outplayed early, the Wolf Pack had golden opportunity shorthanded, but Larsson (30 saves) stopped Patrick Rissmiller's breakaway at 5:42 after Griffins defenseman Jakub Kindl fell at his own blueline.

Larsson made a strong stop on Brian Fahey in front with 6:45 left in the period, then Wiikman made a glove save on Jamie Tardif off a 2-on-1 with 2:44 to go.

The Griffins continued to press early in the second period, but Wiikman was alert to deny Tardif from the left circle at 1:35 and 2007 AHL MVP Darren Haydar off a 2-on-1 at 6:25. The Wolf Pack then took the upper hand, with Owens' shorthanded backhander off a semi-breakaway stopped at 6:55 before Larsson made a glove save on Parenteau off a 2-on-1 at 9:36.

But moments later, Parenteau got the puck to Anisimov, who made a brilliant rush through center ice and the high slot. His shot was stopped, but Brodie Dupont jammed in the rebound at 10:01. The assist extended Anisimov's point streak to five games (three goals, five assists).

The Griffins tied it on their third power play as Francis Pare beat Wiikman high to the glove side at 14:44 to complete a three-way play with Lemieux and Evan McGrath. The Wolf Pack nearly regained the lead a minute later, but Larsson flicked out his blocker to deny Ouellette on a 2-on-1.

The Wolf Pack came out strong to start the third period, and Larsson had to be alert to stop Parenteau and Pyatt in the opening 2:20. Then it was Wiikman's turn to keep it tied when he stopped Haydar twice from in close.

Given those reprieves, the Wolf Pack took lead for good, then Wiikman robbed Pare off the ensuing faceoff. Larsson did likewise to Ouellette and Dupont with 4:32 and 2:59 left before Parenteau's empty-netter with 28.2 seconds left iced it.

"We just didn't have quite the same emotion and pop in the first two periods, but maybe it was because we had a good healthy respect for Grand Rapids the way they've been playing lately and the strong, deep lineup that they have," Gernander said. "But after the first period we really limited the number of odd-man chances, and Miikka stepped up. He was real solid and poised, not scrambling around."

Wiikman & Co. were helped by the return of three defensemen: Corey Potter from a second stint with the Rangers, Michael Sauer from a cut on his face and Fahey from a concussion that sidelined him for 10 games.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2009


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