Howard Gives Milwaukee Nothing for Christmas
Published on December 20, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Jimmy Howard stole the show and the game on Saturday at Van Andel Arena, making 28 saves to log his 11th career shutout and guide the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 2-0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals.
Thanks to Howard's larceny, the Griffins overcame a season-low 16 shots to claim their third home win in four days and their second straight victory over the Admirals, to whom they had lost eight consecutive meetings entering the weekend.
Grand Rapids (16-7-3-3), now 8-1-1-2 in its last 12 home games, will conclude its 3-in-3 and 4-in-5 sets on Sunday with a 6:05 p.m. visit to Rochester that will mark the franchise's 1000th regular season game.
The night's early action involved Grand Rapids resident Bernie Loomans, who passed through the turnstiles as the 4 millionth fan in Griffins history, and resident Grand Rapids enforcer Aaron Downey, who fought Kelsey Wilson just eight seconds into the contest.
Howard did yeoman's work in net over the first two periods, making 19 saves - several of the spectacular variety - to keep the Admirals (17-9-0-1) off the board. Meanwhile, his teammates had managed a season-low three shots in the opening period and had totaled only nine into the waning moments of the middle frame. But Jakub Kindl made the most of the Griffins' 10th attempt, taking a pass from Evan McGrath on the rush and quickly beating Mark Dekanich from the slot at the 18:11 mark.
Howard's thievery continued in period three, as he made nine more saves to record his first whitewash of the season and move into sole possession of second place on the team's all-time shutout list. He passed Marc Lamothe (10) and now trails only Joey MacDonald (16).
Francis Pare tallied into an empty net with 36 seconds remaining for the final margin, giving him five points (2-3-5) in this week's three victories.
After the game, the Griffins recalled defenseman Brett Peterson from ECHL Phoenix. He is expected to join the team before tomorrow's contest against the Americans.
American Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2008
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- Peoria Scores Three in Third and Beat Iowa 4-0 - Peoria Rivermen
- IceHogs lose 4-3 in shootout - Rockford IceHogs
- Howard Gives Milwaukee Nothing for Christmas - Grand Rapids Griffins
- P-Bruins Fall to Pirates 4-2 - Providence Bruins
- Lundmark Scores in Return to Quad City Line-Up - Abbotsford Heat
- Bulldogs win over Wolf Pack - Connecticut Whale
- Flames smoke Moose - Manitoba Moose
- Fata returns to haunt his former team with two goals in Binghamton's 4-1 victory - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bulldogs tame Wolf Pack - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Goebel comes up big in win - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Admirals Top Phantoms in Shootout - Norfolk Admirals
- Crunch Winless Streak Hits Nine - Syracuse Crunch
- Falcons Fall To Marlies 3-1 - Springfield Falcons
- Phantoms Pick Up Point In 3-2 Loss To Norfolk - Adirondack Phantoms
- Peoria gets first win over Iowa on Saturday, 4-0 - Iowa Chops
- Monarchs Waved Through Worcester - Manchester Monarchs
- Devils Clawed By Bears 4-2 - Albany Devils
- Pirates Hand Rival Bruins 4-2 Loss - Portland Pirates
- Sharks Make Vassals out of Monarchs - Worcester Sharks
- Penguins Hold Off River Rats 4-3 - Albany River Rats
- Montreal Returns Marc Denis To Hamilton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- San Jose Sharks Reassign Forward Lukas Kaspar To Worcester - Worcester Sharks
- Calgary Flames Reassign Forward Jamie Lundmark - Abbotsford Heat
- Columbus Reassigns Hendrikx and Wharton; Crunch Recall Garlock - Syracuse Crunch
- Enter to Win a Polaris Snowmobile - Portland Pirates
- Falcons Host Marlies Saturday Night - Springfield Falcons
- Donate Food to United Way Pantry Project at Pirates Weekend Games - Portland Pirates
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