AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Miller Lifts Griffins to 3-2 OT Win

Published on October 11, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Rosemont, Ill - Kevin Miller went from the goat to the hero for the Grand Rapids Griffins (1-0-0-0) in their season-opening 3-2 overtime win on Saturday night at the Allstate Arena against the Chicago Wolves (0-0-0-1). The Griffins got two goals and an assist from Michel Picard and two assists from Niklas Kronwall.

With the Griffins holding a 2-1 lead, Miller was whistled for cross checking with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. The Wolves scored the tying goal on the ensuing power play. Miller atoned for his sin by notching the game-winning goal at 1:02 of overtime from Picard and Kronwall on the power play.

In the first period, with the teams skating four-on-four, the Griffins opened the scoring when Picard capped a give-and-go with Travis Richards at 14:19 of the opening frame. Hugo Boisvert also assisted on the play.

The visitors managed to kill all four penalties against them including a two-man-disadvantage for 1:19 late in the first period.

In the second period, the Griffins capitalized on a two-man-advantage when Picard tallied a power play goal at the 5:50 mark, opening a 2-0 lead. Derek King and Kronwall assisted on the goal.

Despite being out shot for the game 36-27, the Griffins had the first 13 shots of the second period.

The Wolves got on the board when Steve Maltais slipped a backhand shot behind Marc Lamothe at the 11:12 mark of the third period, cutting the lead to 2-1. Simon Gamache and Brian Swanson assisted on the goal.

The home team evened the score when they cashed in on their eighth power play opportunity of the game. Eric Healey scored with the man advantage from Shawn Heins and Frederic Cassivi. Lamothe made 34 saves to earn his first win of the season, while Cassivi stopped 24 shots in a losing effort.

The Griffins will play one more road game, on Friday night in Cleveland, before opening the home portion of their schedule on Saturday night against the defending Calder Cup champion Houston Aeros at 7:30 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2003


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