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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Lone Wold holds off Griffins, 1-0

April 18, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - Kari Lehtonen's 37 saves guided the Chicago Wolves to a 1-0 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins in Game 2 of the West Division semifinals on Sunday at Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins, who suffered a postseason shutout for the first time in nearly three years, now trail the best-of-seven series two games to none. Games 3 and 4 are set for this Wednesday and Friday at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

Mirroring Game 1, the Wolves drew first blood in the opening period, for what would turn out to be the only goal of the contest. Isolated against Marc Lamothe, Eric Healey waited patiently for an opening before lifting a shot over the goaltender's stick and under the cross bar from just outside the crease at 12:05.

The Griffins nearly tied it with 4:30 remaining in the period, as Hugo Boisvert sprinted out of the penalty box, collected the puck and fired from the left circle, only to watch his shot clang off the right post. Lamothe then stopped Brian Swanson on a breakaway with two minutes left to keep it a 1-0 game at the first intermission.

Late in the second period, Chicago had a golden opportunity to go ahead 2-0. During a wild Wolves shorthanded flurry around the Griffins' net, Anders Myrvold slid his broken stick toward the puck carrier. Brendan Yarema was awarded a penalty shot at the 14:02 mark, but Lamothe made a glove save to keep the deficit at one and provide a spark for his team.

However, Lehtonen showed why he was named the NHL's No. 1 prospect by The Hockey News each of the last two years, denying 15 attempts in the second period and 14 in the third, when the desperate Griffins pressed for the tying goal. He authored the first playoff shutout of Grand Rapids since Orlando's Norm Maracle accomplished the feat on May 12, 2001, in Game 6 of the IHL Eastern Conference finals.

Lamothe deserved a better fate for his effort tonight, finishing with 24 saves. The Griffins had their chances with seven power plays, compared to just three for Chicago, but Grand Rapids nonetheless sustained the fourth shutout in its playoff history.

View this game's official box score on-line at griffinshockey.com.

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