AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Hudler and Cujo Bury Grizzlies, 4-1

Published on October 24, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - They came to watch a future Hall of Famer tend goal for the Griffins, but it was a 19-year-old sensation from the Czech Republic that grabbed center stage before 8,031 fans at Van Andel Arena on Friday.

Playing their first games for Grand Rapids, Jiri Hudler notched two goals and an assist, while Curtis Joseph made 20 saves to lead the Griffins to a 4-1 win over the Utah Grizzlies.

Hudler, assigned to Grand Rapids by the Detroit Red Wings earlier today, showcased his speed, playmaking ability and a blistering shot that broke a 1-1 tie at 8:34 of the second period and gave the Griffins a 3-1 cushion at 5:14 of the third. Each goal came from the top of the right circle off a nifty pass from Kevin Miller.

Joseph, who joined the Griffins on Wednesday as part of his recovery from ankle surgery, immediately displayed the form that has made him the ninth-winningest goalie in NHL history. The Griffins were outshot 8-2 in the opening period but held a 1-0 lead at the break, thanks to several solid stops by Joseph and a Mark Mowers goal off a wrister from the point on Grand Rapids' first shot of the night at 12:48. Nathan Robinson and Hudler earned assists on the play.

Utah's Jarrod Skalde tied the score during a goal-mouth scramble at 7:44 of the second frame, but Hudler and Joseph took control to help the 4-1-0-0 Griffins tie their best start in franchise history (2000-01).

Michel Picard completed the scoring during a power play with 2:55 left in the game, tipping a Travis Richards shot past netminder Jason Bacashihua, whose team fell to 1-4-1-1 on the season.

The Van Andel Arena crowd, bolstered by an estimated 2,800 fans who came primarily to see Cujo make his AHL debut, was the largest non-opening night October crowd for the Griffins since 1998.

The Griffins, who face their second consecutive weekend of three games in as many nights, now hit the road for games in Cincinnati on Saturday and Hamilton on Sunday.

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2003


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.

OurSports Central