Sports stats

AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Toronto runs over luckless Griffins, 6-0

March 17, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - Former Grand Rapids goalie Tyler Moss made 23 saves on Wednesday to lead the Toronto Roadrunners to a 6-0 victory over the Griffins at Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins' loss, which tied a franchise record for the largest margin of defeat at home, put their first-place standing in both the West Division and the entire league in peril, pending the outcome of Milwaukee's game at Utah later this evening. Grand Rapids and Milwaukee entered the night tied at 88 points.

Grand Rapids (40-20-8-0), which suffered its fifth loss in the last eight games, will try to right the ship on the road this weekend, with games on Friday night at Rochester and Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.

The Roadrunners scored twice in each period. In the first, Toronto's top scorer, Jamie Wright, banged home a rebound at 10:03, while Joe Cullen put a shot between Marc Lamothe and the near post from the left circle at 15:18.

Toronto made it a 3-0 contest just 1:17 into the middle frame. Lamothe turned away an attempt by Doug Lynch, but JJ Hunter beat him to the loose puck in the slot and slid it into a vacated net.

The Griffins had a chance to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty shot at the 4:49 mark of the period, but Kevin Miller's attempt clanged off the left post. Grand Rapids, which had not enjoyed a penalty shot at home in over two years (Feb. 24, 2002), has now squandered its last five chances overall. Ironically, Moss was the last opposing goalie to be beaten by a Griffin on a penalty shot, surrendering a goal to Bryan Adams on Dec. 17, 2002 at Manitoba.

Brad Winchester tacked on another tally for Toronto (31-26-8-3) at 11:31 of the second, and the Roadrunners chased Lamothe from the crease in favor of Joey MacDonald just 1:19 into the third period, when Nate DiCasmirro scored unassisted from the left side. Lamothe finished with 21 saves.

MacDonald stopped three shots in relief but allowed a goal on a fluky play with 3:42 remaining, when Dave Roche's centering pass deflected off Derek King and into the net.

Moss, who played 15 games for the Griffins in 1996-97, joined Tom Askey as the only goaltenders to record three career shutouts against Grand Rapids. The defeat was the worst for the Griffins at home since the 12th game of the franchise's existence, when they fell 6-0 to the San Antonio Dragons on Nov. 2, 1996 at Van Andel Arena.

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

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2004


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.

Other Recent Grand Rapids Griffins Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central