AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins play 11 games in 17 days without a loss

January 26, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Whatever Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger: Thanks to a 2-0-2-0 record while playing four games in five nights last week, the Griffins extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games (7-0-4-0), a run second in team history to only a 14-game tear (11-0-3-0) last season. All 11 games were played in a span of just 17 days, a grueling test that Grand Rapids entered under the yoke of a season-high three-game losing streak. With their recent tear, the Griffins now lead the AHL with 27 wins (tied), 62 points and a 0.660 winning percentage. They own a seven-point lead over Chicago atop the West Division, marking the greatest first-to-second margin of the league's four divisions. Grand Rapids will enjoy four days without games this week before visiting the Utah Grizzlies for a pair at The "E" Center this Friday and Saturday.

The AHL's Grand Event!: The Griffins will be in the hockey spotlight in less than two weeks, 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. Several social functions surround the on-ice festivities, including the Hockey Hall of Fame luncheon on Feb. 9 with guest speaker Scotty Bowman. For ticket and event information, visit griffinshockey.com/all-star.

Home Sweet Home: Saturday's 4-2 win over Cleveland gave the Griffins a 4-0-2-0 mark during their six-game home stand, which was the second-longest in the franchise's eight seasons. No AHL team has lost fewer times before the home folk than the Griffins, who sport a 13-5-6-0 mark at Van Andel Arena.

Michel Makes His Point: The last of Michel Picard's three assists on Saturday marked the 1,000th point of his 15-year pro career. The Griffins' all-time leading scorer has registered 442 goals and 558 assists in 1,023 pro contests.

Work Horse: Defenseman Dave Van Drunen, whose 247 games played as a Griffin stand behind only Travis Richards (575) and Michel Picard (332), broke Richards' franchise record for consecutive regular season games played on Saturday against Cleveland. Van Drunen, who was a healthy scratch on April 6, 2002, has played in 128 straight games, while Richards made 126 consecutive appearances from Jan. 16, 1998-Oct. 9, 1999. Including playoffs, Van Drunen has participated in each of the Griffins' last 148 games.

Here's to You, Mr. Robinson: After lighting the lamp just three times in 53 games during his 2002-03 rookie campaign, AHL All-Star Nathan Robinson reached 20 goals on the season on Saturday with his two-goal performance against Cleveland. The 17-goal improvement is the largest ever for a Griffin from one season to the next. Robinson's first goal came on the power play, making him just the sixth player in Grand Rapids history to notch 10 PPG in one season and putting him within striking distance of Jeff Nelson's franchise record of 13 (1996-97). He now owns a nine-game point streak (7-6-13), tying for fifth-longest in the AHL this season.

Climbing the Ladder: Joey MacDonald's 26-save shutout over San Antonio on Friday, his first of the season and fourth as a Griffin, moved him into a tie for fourth place on the team's career shutout list alongside current NHL netminders Jani Hurme and Martin Prusek. He followed that performance by making 40 saves on Sunday in Milwaukee, helping the Griffins rally to earn a point in a 1-1 tie. As a result, MacDonald's incredible AHL road numbers now stand at 7-1-2, 2.18 GAA, 0.933% (this season) and 18-3-2, 2.09 GAA, 0.928% (career).

Defense Never Rests: Over the last five games, the Griffins' defense has surrendered just six goals (1.15 GAA), helping Grand Rapids climb to third in the AHL rankings for goals allowed per game (2.04).

Power Surge: The Griffins' power play has connected in nine of the 11 games during their current unbeaten streak, going 14-for-51 (27.5%) to raise their season percentage to 16.9%, fourth in the league. Grand Rapids, which ranked 22nd on the power play during each of its first two AHL campaigns, scored three power play goals during the first period of Saturday's 4-2 win over Cleveland, marking the second time this season they've tallied three goals with the advantage during a single frame (Nov. 11 vs. Houston, third period).

Milestones: Michel Picard needs just one goal to become the first player to hit 150 as a Griffin...Marc Lamothe is one win shy of 50 as a Griffin, something only Mike Fountain (55) has accomplished...Hugo Boisvert, who moved into a tie for ninth on the Griffins' all-time goals list (37, with Kip Miller) on Sunday, will become the seventh Griffin to log 200 regular season appearances the next time he steps on the ice.

The Untouchables: Grand Rapids and San Antonio are the only AHL clubs that have not suffered an overtime loss this season. The Griffins have been taken to an extra session 13 times, showing five wins and eight ties. In 42 overtime games during their three AHL seasons, the Griffins now have 13 wins, 27 ties and just two losses.

When You're Hot, You're Hot: AHL All-Star Jiri Hudler's 12-game point streak (6-12-18), the longest in the AHL this season and the second-longest in Griffins history, ended on Wednesday versus Rochester...Derek King's five-game point streak (2-4-6) was snapped on Sunday...Hugo Boisvert has points in four of the last six games (2-2-4), including the overtime winner versus Chicago on Jan. 16, and a shorthanded, game-tying tally yesterday in Milwaukee.

Record Breaker: Marc Lamothe, who has already assumed the Griffins' all-time lead in minutes played (5333:49) and saves (2,221) this season, is pursuing team records for shutouts (nine, tied with Mike Fountain), games played (92, three behind Gordon) and wins (49, six behind Fountain).

Three-Peat: For the sixth time this season, the Griffins played three games in as many nights over the weekend. They are now 11-3-4-0 when playing "three in three," including a 4-1-1-0 mark in the third game.

Road Warriors: Grand Rapids, which set an AHL record last season with 26 road wins, currently leads the league with 14 victories in enemy territory (14-7-2-0), giving it a 24-win pace for a full season.

Working Overtime: Six straight games at Van Andel Arena (Jan. 9-21) were tied at the end of regulation, a franchise first, with Grand Rapids claiming three wins and three ties. Prior to that streak, the Griffins had never gone beyond regulation for more than two consecutive home games.

Magic Number 14: Kevin Miller's three overtime goals are the most ever for a Griffin during a single regular season, eclipsing Rob Collins' two OT tallies in 2002-03. Stacy Roest, who like Miller wore jersey #14, also had three overtime goals last year, one during the regular season and two in the playoffs, tying Miller for most overtime goals scored for a Griffins career.

League Leaders: Seven Griffins currently rank among the AHL's best in various categories: Danny Groulx - Plus-14 rating (T4th among defensemen); Jiri Hudler - Plus-16 rating (T4th); Marc Lamothe - 1.93 GAA (6th), 16 wins (T2nd), 1895:40 minutes (4th); Joey MacDonald - 2.10 GAA (12th); Kevin Miller - Six game-winning goals (T2nd); Michel Picard - 34 points (T19th); and Nathan Robinson - 38 points (T12th), 20 goals (T5th), 10 power play goals (3rd), and five game-winning goals (T4th).

Home-Work: The Griffins will host a total of 17 games during January (eight) and February (nine), marking the busiest two-month stretch at home in franchise history. Grand Rapids will be at home for every Friday in February, only the second time that has occurred during a month (Nov. 2000).

Tough to Beat: Marc Lamothe, the reigning AHL goaltender of the year, has surrendered more than two goals in just four of his last 25 appearances, dating back to Nov. 13.

Record Watch: Several Griffins should challenge a number of franchise records. Nathan Robinson has 10 power play goals, putting him on pace to eclipse Jeff Nelson's standard of 13 set in 1996-97. Kevin Miller has six game-winning goals, within range of Michel Picard's 12 from 1996-97. Marc Lamothe's 1.93 GAA would place second all-time to Martin Prusek's 1.83 mark from 2001-02. Finally, Hugo Boisvert, Danny Groulx, Anders Myrvold and Dave Van Drunen have played in all 45 games, attempting to join eight previous Griffins who've appeared in every regular season game.

By the Numbers: Where the Griffins rank among the AHL's 28 teams in various statistical categories:
* Power Play: 37-for-219, 16.9% (4th)
* Penalty Killing: 207-for-237, 87.3% (10th)
* Penalty Minutes: 15.91 avg. (25th)
* Goals For: 2.62 avg. (11th)
* Goals Against: 2.04 avg. (3rd)
* Shots For: 26.81 avg. (22nd)
* Shots Against: 27.87 avg. (10th)
* Attendance: 6,492 avg. (8th)

Griffins Earn Their Wings: Ten members of the Griffins have contributed to the success of the Detroit Red Wings this season. Four of those players, including AHL All-Star defenseman Niklas Kronwall, who broke his leg during pre-game warm-ups in Los Angeles last Thursday, remain with Detroit.

Player GP G A PTS +/- PIM Avg. Ice Time
Mark Mowers 30 2 7 9 6 2 11:02
Niklas Kronwall 20 1 4 5 5 16 13:51
Jamie Rivers 19 1 1 2 9 4 8:43

Goalie GP W L T SO GAA Save %
Curtis Joseph *22 *11 9 2 *2 2.42 0.904
* Leads team

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 first place in the NHL's Central Division (28-15-6-2), following Saturday's 5-2 loss at Phoenix. They'll visit Dallas tonight at 8 (FSN/espn2).

All-Star Quartet: Four Griffins have been selected to participate in the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic. Forward Nathan Robinson was named to the Canadian All-Star team, while captain and starter Travis Richards, fellow defenseman Niklas Kronwall (recently injured in Detroit) and forward Jiri Hudler were chosen for the PlanetUSA squad. The four selections tie Grand Rapids with Hamilton and Manchester for most in the event and match the Griffins' record all-star bounty of 2001, when current NHL players John Gruden, Kip Miller, Martin Prusek and Petr Schastlivy were tabbed for the AHL's mid-season showcase.

This Week's Scouting Report

Fri., Jan. 30 at Utah Grizzlies (14-25-4-3) - The "E" Center - 9:05 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 31 at Utah Grizzlies - The "E" Center - 9:05 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WOOD 1300 AM at 8:40 p.m. each night. Season Series: 1-1-1-0 Overall, 0-0-0-0 Road. Fourth and fifth of eight meetings overall, first and second of four in West Valley City. All-Time Series: AHL: 10-13-2-0 Overall, 5-5-1-0 Road. Total: 18-18-3-0 Overall, 6-10-2-0 Road. Utah Affiliation: Dallas Stars. Head Coach: Don Hay (3rd season). Grin and Bear It: Grand Rapids (0.660) and Utah (0.380) possess the best and worst winning percentages, respectively, in the AHL...Still, the Grizzlies have been a thorn in the Griffins' side, earning a win and a tie during the first three meetings at Van Andel Arena...The Griffins won three of five clashes last season in Utah, where they've won just six times in 18 tries all-time...Utah's penalty killers rank third in the AHL (88.7%), but its power play is second-to-last (10.8%)...The Grizzlies have been outscored 60-31 in the third period, thanks in part to an offense that ties for 26th on the circuit (1.91)...Veteran Jarrod Skalde (17-20-37) stands 15th in league scoring.

This Week's Games:
Fri., Jan. 30 GRIFFINS at Utah Grizzlies 9:05 p.m. WOOD 1300 AM
Sat., Jan. 31 GRIFFINS at Utah Grizzlies 9:05 p.m. WOOD 1300 AM

Last Week's Results:
Wed., Jan. 21 Rochester Americans 2 at GRIFFINS 2 OT 25-12-7-0, 57 pts. (1st, West Division)
Fri., Jan. 23 San Antonio Rampage 0 at GRIFFINS 5 26-12-7-0, 59 pts. (1st)
Sat., Jan. 24 Cleveland Barons 2 at GRIFFINS 4 27-12-7-0, 61 pts. (1st)
Sun., Jan. 25 GRIFFINS 1 at Milwaukee Admirals 1 OT 27-12-8-0, 62 pts. (1st)

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central