Griffins' streak snapped by Bulldogs, 6-5 in shootout
Published on November 26, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Early deficits and third-period rallies have been hallmarks this season for the Grand Rapids Griffins, but the Hamilton Bulldogs stole their script on Saturday for a 6-5 shootout win at Van Andel Arena.
Brad Winchester had a power-play hat trick and figured in every goal for the Bulldogs (8-13-0-1), who snapped their six-game skid and ended a six-game winning streak by the Griffins (15-3-0-2). Grand Rapids, which still leads the North Division by five points over Manitoba, will begin a three-game road trip with a visit to the Iowa Stars on Tuesday.
Contrary to their custom, it was the Griffins who jumped out to the early 1-0 lead. During a power play 3:32 into the game, Bryan Helmer unleashed a rocket from the right point that weaved through traffic and Bulldogs netminder Jeff Deslauriers. The goal prompted fans to rain a torrent of stuffed animals down on the ice as part of the Griffins' annual Teddy Bear Toss promotion, as approximately 1,100 toys were collected for donation to Hug-a-Bears of Kent County.
Grand Rapids increased its lead just 59 seconds into the middle period, when Tomas Kopecky snapped a shot from the right circle that slipped inside the near post and - strangely enough - gave the Griffins their first 2-0 lead on home ice this season. It wouldn't last long, though. Off a Griffins turnover, Andrei Kostitsyn flashed through the slot to redirect a Winchester pass top shelf on Joey MacDonald at 6:47, and Winchester pounded a rebound into the cage at 9:07 to capitalize on a 5-on-3 advantage and knot the score.
The Griffins' top line regained the upper hand on a beautiful play at the 12:18 mark. Taking a pass from Jiri Hudler, Eric Manlow sped down the left side, faked a shot, and looked like he would circle behind the net. Instead, he fed a pass out front to a wide-open Kent McDonell, who found the far corner of the net with pin-point accuracy.
The teams traded power play goals before the frame expired to make it a 4-3 game. Kopecky notched his second of the night at 16:09, slamming home a rebound of Donald MacLean's shot from the right side, but Winchester answered with his second of the period, beating MacDonald with a cannon from the top of the right circle at 17:38.
A five-minute major assessed to newcomer Clay Wilson for high-sticking former Griffin Peter Vandermeer early in the third period turned Grand Rapids' one-goal lead into a one-goal deficit. Hamilton's Andre Benoit scored at 3:21 and Winchester completed his hat trick at 4:37 to push the visitors ahead for the first time at 5-4. Jon Insana recorded his first AHL goal with 2:57 remaining to force overtime, but the Bulldogs finally prevailed in an eight-round shootout.
American Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2005
- Peoria Suffers First Shutout of Season - Peoria Rivermen
- Griffins' streak snapped by Bulldogs, 6-5 in shootout - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Knights Hit The Road And Win Again - Abbotsford Heat
- Admirals defeat Rampage - San Antonio Rampage
- Freddy Meyer Nets Game-Winner In OT, Phantoms Win 4-3 Over Bridgeport - Adirondack Phantoms
- Winchester Posts 5 Points in 'Dogs Shootout Victory - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Sound Tigers Fall In Philly 4-3 In OT - Bridgeport Islanders
- Penguins beat Senators 4-1 to run road winning streak to 13 games - Binghamton Senators
- Bears fall 1-0 at home to Norfolk - Hershey Bears
- Red lights rule in Portland: Lowell wins 7-6 - Albany Devils
- Admirals shut out Bears 1-0 in Hershey - Norfolk Admirals
- Defenseman Jeff Woywitka Heads to St. Louis, Center Jay McClement Joins Peoria - Peoria Rivermen
- Family Day, Coloring Book giveaway set for Sunday - Houston Aeros
- Rampage sign Cory Pecker to P.T.O. - San Antonio Rampage
- Monarchs New Arrivals Lift Team To Victory - Manchester Monarchs
- Martin Off To Lowell - Albany Devils
- Senators reassign Hamel to Binghamton - Binghamton Senators
- Bears at home tonight looking for fifth win in a row - Hershey Bears
- Pirates Statement on Civic Center Naming Rights - Portland Pirates
- Griffins "take it to the extreme" with BMX legend - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Falcons Host Monarchs Tonight - Springfield Falcons
- Griffins bid adieu to Howard, welcome Wilson - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Canucks Recall McVicar; Moose Sign Centomo to PTO - Manitoba Moose
- Amerks make player moves, travel to Albany tonight - Rochester Americans
- Berkhoel Returns to Atlanta - Chicago Wolves
- Barons Fall at Home 3-0 to Moose - Cleveland Barons
- Flinn Heads Back To Los Angeles - Manchester Monarchs
- Bulldogs game notes - Hamilton Bulldogs
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.
