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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Mac, Griffins keep rolling with 3-1 win

February 16, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


HOUSTON - The Grand Rapids Griffins (33-14-8-0) used a power play goal early in the third period to defeat the Houston Aeros (18-26-10-3) by a 3-1 score on Monday night in their first-ever visit to the Toyota Center. The win boosts Grand Rapids' record to 13-2-4-0 since Jan. 9. The Griffins now lead the Milwaukee Admirals by nine points for the division crown. Grand Rapids' 16 road wins ties Bridgeport for the league lead.

The reigning AHL Player of the Week, Joey MacDonald made 26 saves to improve his record to 14-2-3 this season. MacDonald is unbeaten in his last eight starts (7-0-1). His road record as a Griffin is a remarkable 20-3-2, with a 2.04 goals against average and a 0.929 save percentage.

Grand Rapids broke a 1-1 tie at 4:17 of the third period when Kevin Miller tallied on the power play from Tomas Kopecky and Jiri Hudler. Kopecky used a toe-drag move to evade an Aero defender. He then slid the puck across the Houston crease allowing Miller to slam it into a yawning net. Miller's seventh game-winning goal is second best on the circuit this season.

Houston opened the scoring when Jason Marshall banged in the rebound of his own shot at 3:10 of the opening period. Marc Cavosie and Mika Hannula picked up the assists. The goal is the first yielded by the Griffins in 148:03 of play, a streak stretching back to the Feb. 7 contest in Cincinnati. It also snapped MacDonald's personal shutout streak at 153:40, a span that began on Jan. 31 in Utah.

The Griffins answered when Michel Picard found Matt Ellis open in front of the Houston cage. Ellis drove the puck through Johan Holmqvist's legs at 1:48 of the second period. The assist, his thirtieth of the season, stretches Picard's scoring streak to seven games and ties Nathan Robinson for the team scoring lead with 41 points. Travis Richards also assisted on Ellis' fourth goal of the season.

Jeff Nelson secured the victory with an unassisted empty-net goal with 30 ticks remaining in the game.

Holmqvist made 17 saves in a losing effort.

The same two teams will battle on Wednesday at noon before the Griffins welcome the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

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

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American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2004


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