Griffins Sink Admirals, 4-3
January 31, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
MILWAUKEE, WI - In their last game before the AHL All-Star break, the Grand Rapids Griffins (28-12-7-2), used a hat trick and an assist by Jason Williams and a four-assist performance by left wing Michel Picard to defeat the Milwaukee Admirals (20-15-7-4). Their line mate and former Admiral, Mark Mowers, added a goal and two assists, giving the line a combined 11 points. The Griffins road record is 14-3-3-2 this season and 8-1-2-0 in their last 11 road outings.
Defenseman Travis Richards played in his 500th regular season Griffins game.
Williams and Picard join Tomas Kopecky as the only Griffins to record four points in one game this season.
Williams scored the first goal when he drove the puck from the right circle, catching Admirals' netminder Jan Lasak leaning the wrong way, at 5:56 of the first period. Mowers and Picard assisted on the goal.
The Admirals answered with goals by former Michigan Wolverine Bubba Berenzweig, rookie Darren Haydar and Vern Fiddler, opening a 3-1 lead by the end of the first period. Berenzweig's tally came with the man advantage at 7:21 from Martin Erat and Greg Classen. Fiddler and Pascal Trepanier assisted on Haydar's goal at 8:17. Denny Lambert assisted on Fiddler's tally at 19:15.
Mowers, returning to the Griffins lineup after missing two games, narrowed the margin to 3-2 when his shot deflected off Lasak's stick and into the net at 4:17 of the second period. Williams assisted on the goal.
Williams took advantage of a five-on-three power play when he blasted a puck past Lasak at 15:09 of the third period knotting the score at three. Picard and Derek King assisted on the goal.
Williams capped his hat trick, giving the Griffins a 4-3 advantage at 10:41 of the third period. Mowers and Picard assisted on the goal.
Williams has 10 points in the last six games, while Picard has nine points in the last four games.
Marc Lamothe made 22 saves for his 18th win of the season, while Lasak made 29 saves in a losing effort.
Mowers and Lamothe will play at the American Hockey League's All-Star Game on Monday, Feb. 3. Mowers will play for the PlanetUSA team, while Lamothe will play for the Canadian All-Star team.
The Griffins return to action on Feb. 5 when they travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Grizzlies.
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