AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Say Goodbye to Memorable November

December 2, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


November to Remember: The Griffins, who had never before experienced a calendar month in which they did not suffer a regulation loss, went 9-0-3-2 overall during November to extend their franchise-record point streak to 16 games (11-0-3-2). In addition, with a 6-0-2-0 mark at home during the month, the Griffins went undefeated at home during a calendar month for the first time in their history (excluding a 1-0-0 home mark during April 2000). Back in the days of IHL shootout losses, Grand Rapids twice went an entire month without suffering a regulation loss on home ice: Nov. 2000 (6-0-1) and Mar. 1996 (3-0-2).

Homecoming: After wrapping up a five-city, 4,373-mile road trip with games tonight in San Antonio and Wednesday against league-leading Houston, the Griffins will return to Van Andel Arena this weekend for a pair of games against the Utah Grizzlies. On Friday night, the Griffins will wear their special third jerseys modeled after those of the Detroit Red Wings, and fans can register for a chance to win some of the holiday season's most popular toys. On Saturday, approximately 2,000 scouts from the Grand Rapids area will be in attendance for the first of four Shoe Carnival Trading Card Nights, as the first 5,000 fans will receive four Griffins trading cards. After the game, fans can participate in a Throw For Dough benefiting the Grand Rapids Jaycees, and six Griffins players will sign autographs for 15 minutes.

Central Issues: Grand Rapids sits atop the Central Division standings at 12-3-4-2 (30 pts.), eight points ahead of Cincinnati. The Griffins are 12-1-3-2 (0.806) since their 0-2-1-0 start, and their 0.714 overall mark ranks second in the league, behind only Houston.

Home Sweet Home: Since their 0-3-1-0 start at home, the Griffins are 6-0-2-0 in their last eight at Van Andel Arena. The franchise record for a home unbeaten streak is 10 games (10-0-0, Dec. 22, 2000-Jan. 26, 2001).

For Starters: Just over one quarter of the way through the regular season, the Griffins are on pace for 45 wins and 114 points, which would place third and first, respectively, in franchise history. Only the 2000-01 Griffins collected more points than this year's edition during their first 21 games (14-4-3, 31 pts.).

Hard to Kill: The Griffins lead the AHL with only three regulation losses, the last of which was sustained in just their fifth game of the season on Oct. 24. Grand Rapids' current 16-game point streak (11-0-3-2) is nearly double the previous franchise record of nine, set twice during the 2000-01 season.

Road Warriors: Dating back to last season, the Griffins have not lost in regulation in their last 12 regular season road contests (9-0-1-2).

Break the Chains: The Griffins' 2-1 overtime loss at Binghamton last Thursday broke several streaks. In addition to the franchise-record 14-game unbeaten streak, Grand Rapids became the last AHL team to lose on the road this season, and Marc Lamothe lost for the first time since opening night, ending his personal, team-record unbeaten streak at 13 games (9-0-4). The Griffins lost for the first time since Oct. 24, and they sustained their first defeat in 21 overtime contests in the AHL.

(Over)Time-Out: After winning or tying each of their first 20 overtime contests as members of the AHL (2-0-11 last season, 3-0-4 to start 2002-03), the Griffins have lost each of their last two outings by a 2-1 count in overtime. While their first 26 games last season were all decided in regulation, the Griffins have already gone to an extra session in nine of their 21 contests this year, including five of their last seven games.

Power Outage: Grand Rapids has converted just one of its last 23 power play chances (4.3%) and is 1-for-21 (4.8%) over the first three games of its current road swing.

Keep Lamothe Shut: Marc Lamothe saw his team-record 13-game unbeaten streak (9-0-4) end with Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Senators, but he still has not lost in regulation since the season opener on Oct. 12. Lamothe owns a 9-1-4-2 record and ranks among the AHL leaders with nine wins (T1st), a 1.95 GAA (2nd), two shutouts (T2nd) and a 0.929 save percentage (5th).

The More Things Change...: After leading the AHL in both goals allowed (2.23) and shots allowed (25.34) last season, the Griffins currently rank second in the league in goals allowed (2.19) and fourth in shots allowed (28.00). During their current 16-game point streak, they've allowed only 28 goals.

One-Two Punch: While Marc Lamothe has earned most of the kudos for Grand Rapids' current record, rookie Joey MacDonald has proven to be an exceptional backup. He owns a 0.906 save percentage and a 2.46 GAA.

League Leaders: Michel Picard is tied for ninth in the AHL with 24 points (10-14-24), while Mark Mowers is tied for 14th (7-16-23)...Tim Skarperud's three power play goals tie for fifth among rookies...Dave Van Drunen is tied for fourth overall and third among defensemen with a plus-13 rating.

Player Notes: Michel Picard has points in eight of his last 10 games (6-6-12) to take over the team leads in goals (10) and points (24). He has four goals in the last four games and has scored the Griffins' lone goal in each of their last two outings...Since earning an assist in his third game with Grand Rapids, Stacy Roest has not gone more than one game without a point, earning marks in 14 of the last 18 games (3-14-17). His five-game point streak (0-7-7) was snapped on Saturday.

Welcome Back: On Saturday, Grand Rapids welcomed defensemen Travis Richards and Patrick Boileau back to its lineup following injury absences of seven and three games, respectively. Left wing Derek King, who has missed the last four games, remains sidelined.

Farewell: The Griffins have returned two recent acquisitions to their original teams. Center Jason Williams, who was assigned by the Detroit Red Wings last Wednesday, was recalled yesterday due to an injury suffered by Pavel Datsyuk. Williams went scoreless in his three-game debut with Grand Rapids. In addition, defenseman Matt Eldred, signed to a pro tryout on Tuesday, was returned to ECHL Toledo on Friday after going scoreless in two Griffins appearances.

By the Numbers: Where the Griffins rank among the AHL's 28 teams in various statistical categories:
* Attendance: 6,645 avg. (6th)
* Power Play: 20-for-145, 13.8% (22nd)
* Penalty Killing: 106-for-126, 84.1% (T12th)
* Penalty Minutes: 19.1 avg. (24th)
* Goals For: 2.90 avg. (15th)
* Goals Against: 2.19 avg. (2nd)
* Shots For: 30.38 avg. (14th)
* Shots Against: 28.00 avg. (4th)

Griffins Alumni Report: Rookie NHL head coach Bruce Cassidy's Washington Capitals are fourth in the Southeast Division with a 10-13-2-0 record...Kip Miller is fifth on the Caps with 12 assists and 15 points (tied)...Florida's Jani Hurme (3-3-5) has a 2.46 GAA and a 0.925 save percentage...Ottawa's Patrick Lalime (10-6-3) owns a 2.26 GAA and a 0.913 save percentage, while Martin Prusek (3-0-0) shows a 2.73 GAA and a 0.912%...Todd White is tied for fifth on the Sens with 12 points (6-6-12), and Petr Schastlivy is tenth with nine points (6-3-9).

Red Wings Update: The Griffins are in the first season of a five-year affiliation with the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings stand atop the NHL's Central Division with a 13-7-3-1 record, following a 4-2 win over Calgary last night. They'll host Anaheim tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

Get Your Tickets: Tickets for all regular season games at Van Andel Arena are currently on sale. Fans can visit either location of The Zone (Van Andel Arena store or Rivertown Crossings Mall kiosk) or any Tickets PLUS location (including Meijer stores), call 222-4000/800-585-3737 or visit www.griffinshockey.com. Full-season ticket packages, mini-plans and group tickets for all Griffins games are currently available by calling 800-2-HOCKEY.

This Week's Scouting Report

Mon., Dec. 2 at San Antonio Rampage - SBC Center - 8:00 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WOOD 1300 AM at 7:40 p.m. Season/All-Time Series: 1-0-0-0 Overall, 0-0-0-0 Road. Second of 10 meetings overall, first of five in San Antonio. San Antonio Affiliation: Florida Panthers. Head Coach: John Torchetti (1st season). No Bull: The Griffins make their first visit to the Alamo since taking a 5-4 shootout win over the IHL's Dragons on March 7, 1998...Grand Rapids won the first-ever meeting of these teams by a 3-2 count in overtime at home on Nov. 22...The Rampage have points in nine consecutive games (3-0-4-2) and in 11 of their last 12 outings (4-1-5-2), with their last regulation loss coming Nov. 10...Since losing their home opener, the Rampage have points in five straight games (3-0-2-0) at the SBC Center...San Antonio has scored nearly half as many shorthanded goals (five) as power play tallies (12)...Jeff Toms (5-9-14) and Chris Mason (2.34 GAA) lead the Rampage attack.

Wed., Dec. 4 at Houston Aeros - Compaq Center - 8:00 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM at 7:40 p.m. Season Series: 1-2-1-0 Overall, 0-0-1-0 Road. Fifth of 10 meetings overall, second of five in Houston. All-Time Series: AHL: 5-5-6-0 Overall, 1-2-4-0 Road. Total: 13-9-10-0 Overall, 5-4-7-0 Road. Houston Affiliation: Minnesota Wild. Head Coach: Todd McLellan (2nd season). Battle Plans: Houston (0.738) and Grand Rapids (0.714) enter the week as the AHL's top two teams in terms of winning percentage...The Aeros have accounted for two of the Griffins' three regulation losses, but Grand Rapids won the last meeting at home (3-0 on Nov. 15) and earned a tie in its last visit to the Compaq Center (2-2 on Nov. 7)...Houston is 6-1-1-0 on home ice this season...Jean-Guy Trudel is tied for ninth in the league with 24 points (11-13-24)...The Aeros are fourth in the league in goals per game (3.48)...Houston has surrendered 26 goals in its last seven games, after allowing just 32 in its first 14 contests.

Fri., Dec. 6 vs. Utah Grizzlies - Van Andel Arena - 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 7 vs. Utah Grizzlies - Van Andel Arena - 7:30 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WOOD 1300 AM (Both nights)/WHTC 1450 AM (Sat. only) at 7:10 p.m. Season Series: 1-0-0-0 Overall, 0-0-0-0 Home. Second and third of 10 meetings overall, first and second of five in Grand Rapids. All-Time Series: AHL: 5-7-1-0 Overall, 2-4-0-0 Home. Total: 13-12-2-0 Overall, 9-4-0-0 Home. Utah Affiliation: Dallas Stars. Head Coach: Don Hay (2nd season). Grin and Bear It: The Griffins withstood a 46-save effort from Utah's Jason Bacashihua to prevail 2-1 in West Valley City on Nov. 9...The Grizzlies had never won a game at Van Andel Arena before triumphing four times here last season...Utah is 7-1-0-1 in its last nine outings, and has won four of its last five on the road...Jon Sim in tied for ninth in the AHL with 24 points (7-17-24)...Corey Hirsch (2.92 GAA) protects the Bears' net...Utah allows the most shots per game in the league (38.22).

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2002


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