AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Grizzlies stymie Griffins with 4-0 win

Published on March 26, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Grand Rapids Griffins (41-23-8-0) were shutout 4-0 by the Utah Grizzlies (25-38-6-5) on Friday night at the E Center. Despite the loss, the Griffins remain four points behind the idle Milwaukee Admirals and eight points ahead of Chicago, who lost to Cincinnati 5-3 on Friday night. Chicago and Milwaukee will play against each other on Saturday night.

For Utah, the shutout win marks the third such victory over the Griffins this season. This time Dan Ellis did the deed, stopping 18 shots en route to his second shutout of the season.

Rob Valicevic, a Michigan native, got the Grizzlies on the board with a power play goal 5:55 into the contest. Gerard Dicaire's point shot deflected off Valicevic's shoulder just in front of Joey MacDonald in the Griffins net. Nick Naumenko also assisted on the goal.

Former Griffin David Gove scored the first of his two goals at the 6:44 mark of the second period. Valicevic whirled at center ice and sent a backhand pass to a streaking Gove on the left wing. Gove pulled up and rocketed a shot over MacDonald's glove for a shorthanded tally to open a 2-0 lead. Dan Jancevski also assisted on the goal.

Gove made the score 3-0 when he banged in a loose puck in front of the Griffins cage 16:38 of the middle frame. Valicevic and Mike Siklenka added assists on the goal.

Timo Helbling capped the night's scoring early in the period when his shot ricocheted off a Griffins defenseman into an open net 2:13 into the final frame. Warren Peters assisted on the goal.

MacDonald stopped 36 shots as his record dips to 20-8-3 on the season.

The Griffins and Grizzlies will cap their regular season series Saturday night at the E Center at 9:05.

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 March 26, 2004


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