AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins set franchise record for home dominance

Published on February 13, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - On the strength of two goals by Darryl Bootland, three assists from Jiri Hudler and a perfect 22-save performance by Joey MacDonald, the Griffins set a franchise record on Friday with their eleventh consecutive home game without a loss, a 4-0 win over the Manitoba Moose at Van Andel Arena.

Playing without injured all-star Nathan Robinson and recalled goaltender Marc Lamothe, the Griffins rallied behind MacDonald, who earned his second straight shutout at home. Grand Rapids (31-14-8-0) remains unbeaten at home in 2004, improving to 8-0-3-0 since January. The 11-game unbeaten streak on home ice breaks the 10-0-0 standard set during the 2000-01 campaign.

The Griffins, who stretched their lead atop the West Division to eight points over Chicago, continue to pace the AHL with 31 wins, 70 points and a 0.660 winning percentage. They'll attempt to extend their home unbeaten streak to 12 games on Saturday, when they host the defending Calder Cup champion Houston Aeros at 8 p.m.

Following a scoreless first period, Bootland scored twice in a span of 2:24 midway through the second frame on assists from Hudler. At the 9:35 mark, Hudler took a shot from low in the left circle that Alex Auld deflected into the air, but the puck landed in the crease and was knocked into the net by the skate of the charging Bootland.

He netted his tenth goal of the season just minutes later during a power play, sneaking a shot between Auld's right pad and the left post.

Hudler tied a Griffins season-high with his third helper of the night 1:08 into the third period. He dished the puck to Jeff Nelson, who slipped a backhand shot past the stick of the Moose netminder. Michel Picard finished off the scoring during another power play at 12:21, taking a pass from Kevin Miller and one-timing a blast from the slot.

MacDonald's fifth shutout of his Griffins career moved him into sole possession of fourth place on the franchise's all-time list. Auld made 19 saves, as Manitoba (20-26-7-2) lost its third game in a row.

The Griffins reached the 70-point plateau in their second-fewest games ever (53). The 2000-01 squad needed just 44 games to reach the mark, while the 1999-2000 IHL Turner Cup runners-up and last season's AHL Western Conference finalists both hit the milestone in 54 games.

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

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2004


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