AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Lamothe and MacDonald Win Harry 'Hap' Holmes Memorial Award

Published on April 6, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - Grand Rapids Griffins goaltenders Marc Lamothe and Joey MacDonald have claimed the American Hockey League's 2002-03 Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award, presented annually to the goaltender(s) appearing in at least 25 games for the team that allows the fewest goals during the regular season. In their second AHL campaign, the Griffins allowed a league-low and franchise-record 177 goals, just one more than the league record for fewest goals against in an 80-game season. In the 27 seasons since the AHL went to an 80-game schedule, only the 1998-99 Rochester Americans (176 goals) held their opponents to a lower total.

Last season, Grand Rapids became the only team ever to split the award among three goaltenders, as Martin Prusek, Simon Lajeunesse and Mathieu Chouinard combined to allow just 178 goals. The Griffins are the first team since the Rochester Americans (1990-91 and 1991-92) to post the AHL's lowest goals against average in consecutive seasons.

Lamothe, 29, is a leading candidate to receive the league's Aldege "Baz" Bastien Award (outstanding goaltender) this Wednesday, after pacing the AHL with 33 wins (33-18-8) and 3,438 minutes played. An AHL First Team All-Star, he finished second on the circuit with a 2.13 goals against average (2nd), and his 0.923 save percentage (T6th), 1,469 saves (2nd) and six shutouts (3rd) all place among the best entering the final night of the regular season. The New Liskeard, Ontario, native rewrote the Griffins' record book this season, setting marks for minutes played, home wins (19, tied), shutouts (tied) and saves. Lamothe's 13-game unbeaten streak (9-0-4) from Oct. 19 to Nov. 27 was the longest in franchise history, and he became just the third Griffins goalie to post consecutive shutouts (Nov. 12-15), in the process establishing yet another record for longest shutout streak (153:58).

In perhaps the greatest goaltending performance in franchise history, Lamothe led Grand Rapids to a dramatic 2-1 win at Houston on March 13. He made a record 52 saves that night, including a team-high 24 during the third period, as the Griffins persevered despite a 53-14 disadvantage in shots.

MacDonald, a 23-year-old native of Pictou, Nova Scotia, played a key role in the Griffins' Central Division and Western Conference championships, posting a 14-6-0 record with a 2.20 GAA, a 0.916 save percentage and three shutouts.

His remarkable consistency belied his rookie status, as he allowed two or fewer goals in 16 of his 25 appearances, while surrendering as many as four goals just twice.

MacDonald achieved a remarkable 11-2 record over a 13-game span from Nov. 9 to March 2, and set a franchise mark by winning nine straight road games from Oct. 20 to Feb. 28. In 13 total road decisions, he earned an 11-2 record with a 2.02 GAA, a 0.923 save percentage and two shutouts.

The Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award, which was first awarded in 1948 to the goaltender with the best goals against average in the AHL, is named for Hockey Hall of Famer Harry "Hap" Holmes, a prominent figure in early professional hockey and an outstanding goaltender of his time.

Previous winners or co-winners of the award include Gil Mayer (1951, '53, '54, '55, '56), Johnny Bower (1957, '58), Marcel Paille (1961, '62), Gerry Cheevers (1965), Pete Peeters (1979), Pelle Lindbergh (1981), Byron Dafoe and Olaf Kolzig (1994), Mike Dunham and Corey Schwab (1995), Manny Legace (1996), Jean-Sebastien Giguere (1998), Martin Biron (1999) and Mika Noronen (2001).

The Griffins, who enter the 2003 Calder Cup playoffs as the Western Conference's top seed, will host game one of the best-of-five conference quarterfinals on Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m., followed by game two on Friday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. If necessary, game five would also be played at Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, April 23 at 7 p.m.

Grand Rapids' quarterfinal opponent, as well as the dates for games three and four on the road, are yet to be determined. The Griffins will begin their quest for the Calder Cup against one of the two survivors of the conference's best-of-three qualifying round, which will see the number-seven seed host the tenth-ranked team, and the eighth seed host the ninth-place team. Tickets for games one and two only are currently on sale for $26, $21, $17, $13, $11 and $6 (advance purchase only). They may be purchased at The Zone and all Tickets PLUS outlets, including Meijer stores, or by calling (616) 222-4000.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2003


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