Griffins Remain Hot with 3-2 Win
Published on February 28, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
San Antonio - The Grand Rapids Griffins (37-15-8-2) used two shorthanded goals and one even strength goal to defeat the San Antonio Rampage (27-23-10-2) by a 3-2 score on Friday night at the SBC Center. The Griffins have won eight of the last nine games. Grand Rapids, winners of their last five contests away from Van Andel Arena, now has a 20-4-3-2 (0.776) in road games.
Mark Mowers tallied the Griffins' first goal when he tallied his team-leading, career-high 26th goal and his second shorthanded goal of the season at 9:42 of the first period. Stacy Roest dished his first of two assists on the night. Mowers has points in seven of the last nine games (4-8-12).
The Rampage evened the score at 1-1 when Jeff Toms scored his fifth goal in four games against the Griffins this season with a power play marker at 16:13 of the first period. Mike Green and Filip Novak assisted on the goal.
Despite the Griffins holding a 16-5 advantage in shots in the second period, the teams each scored one goal.
The Griffins scored when Sean Avery and Jason Williams entered the San Antonio zone on a two-on-one breakaway. Williams finished with a goal that barely trickled over the line past Rampage netminder Chris Mason for a shorthanded tally at 9:14 of the second period. The last time the Griffins recorded two shorthanded goals was April 7, 2002 when Tim Skarperud and Jeff Ulmer recorded shorthanded goals in a 5-2 win in Manitoba. The goal gives Williams a six-game point streak (5-4-9) and has scored 15 goals in the last 14 games.
The Rampage would not go away as Novak scored from Toms and Rocky Thompson at 15:32 of the second period.
The Griffins tallied the game-winning goal when Philippe Plante's shot deflected off a Rampage defenseman at 16:08 of the third period. Tomas Kopecky and Roest assisted. Roest has 10 points (1-9-10) in his last four games with the Griffins. Plante has five goals and two assists in the last five games. Kopecky has a six-game point streak (2-8-10) and has seven goals and 10 assists in his last 14 outings.
Joey MacDonald earned the win for the Griffins, stopping 15 shots. MacDonald has allowed only seven goals in his last seven games, posting a 6-1 record with two shutouts in that span. Mason stopped 37 shots, but suffered the loss.
The Griffins return to Van Andel on Saturday when they host the Rochester Americans on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (4:00 p.m.).
American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2003
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- Wolves Promote 'Read to Succeed' Program - Chicago Wolves
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Tonight - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Barons Add Watson On Loan - Cleveland Barons
- Botterill and Hecl Recalled by Buffalo - Rochester Americans
- Falcons Fodder - Springfield Falcons
- Red Wings Trio United at Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids Griffins
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Maple Leafs Weekend Preview - Toronto Marlies
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