Griffins Sweep Moose, 4-2

December 17, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release

WINNIPEG, MB -The Grand Rapids Griffins (15-7-4-2) defeated the Manitoba Moose (14-14-3-0) 4-2 to sweep both games of a two-game set that began on Saturday night. The Griffins won on Saturday night 3-2. The Griffins have opened a seven-point lead on Rochester in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

As on Saturday, the Griffins struck first when Michel Picard buried a rebound shot from about 18 feet away 9:55 into the opening period. Nick Greenough earned his first point of the season with an assist. Mark Mowers also assisted on the goal.

Rookie Nathan Robinson netted his first goal of the season for the Griffins, and just his second professional goal when his shot bounced off a leg in front of the net 42 seconds into the second period. Mowers earned his second assist on the play.

The Moose converted two of the six power play opportunities in the second period to even the score 2-2. Jeff Farkas scored the first goal at 8:54 from Steve Kariya. Bryan Helmer netted the second from Jason King and Brandon Reid at 11:13 of the second period.

While the Griffins were killing off the sixth penalty, Bryan Adams was taken down on a breakaway. Adams was awarded a shorthanded penalty shot. Adams converted the first penalty shot of the Griffins season, and the first since Toni Dahlman scored on Wade Flaherty (Utah Grizzlies) on Feb. 24, 2001. The successful penalty shot made the score 3-2 at 19:12 of the second period.

The Griffins extended their lead when Danny Groulx's point shot beat Tyler Moss at 5:10 of the third period. Kopecky won a faceoff in the Moose zone to Groulx for his second assist of the campaign. Joey MacDonald made 23 saves for his second consecutive win, boosting his record to 5-3-0. Moss made 18 saves in a losing effort.

The Griffins return to host the San Antonio Rampage on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Van Andel Arena.

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