AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Tuesday Matinee Starts Tough Stretch

Published on November 10, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Hockey at High Noon: The Griffins will host their third annual afternoon game on Tuesday when the Houston Aeros visit Van Andel Arena for a 12 p.m. start. Grand Rapids, which two years ago held the first non-holiday, weekday matinee in AHL history, will welcome nearly 3,000 local school children for "Hockey Recess," a day of fun and learning. Students will participate in interactive displays provided by the Michigan Historical Museum of Lansing.

Special displays on the concourse will offer "A Walk Through Michigan History," enabling fans and students to learn about the history of Michigan cities, and students will complete questionnaires based on what they've learned. In conjunction with the release of the Walt Disney movie "Finding Nemo" on DVD and VHS, the Griffins will hand out masks featuring characters from the movie to kids on their way into the arena. In addition, DVD and VHS copies of the movie will be distributed as prizes for contests held during the game.

Brutal Schedule: Starting tomorrow afternoon, the Griffins will play four games in a span of just five days, a daunting task that they'll repeat four more times this season (including next week, Nov. 19-23). Still, such a challenge pales in comparison to a stretch in January that will see them play five times in six nights (Jan. 9-14) and seven times in nine nights (Jan. 9-17). This week's opposition includes the defending Calder Cup champs (Houston) and the teams with the second and third-highest winning percentages (San Antonio 0.708, Milwaukee 0.700) in the AHL, all three of which are West Division rivals.

Brush With History: During the second intermission of this Saturday's game against the San Antonio Rampage, the Griffins and their fans will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for "Most People Brushing Teeth." Thanks to the West Michigan District Dental Society, the first 5,000 fans will receive a toothbrush, toothpaste, cup and napkin to aid in the attempt. The record for most people brushing their teeth simultaneously for 60 seconds is 3,872, set at a minor league baseball game (Greensboro Bats vs. Charleston Alley Cats) on June 6, 2003.

Griffins Sport Wings for Charity: During last Saturday's 2-2 tie with Hamilton, the Griffins took to the ice in authentic Detroit Red Wings jerseys, complete with the winged wheel crest. The sweaters were auctioned to the public immediately after the game, raising $11,075 in bids for the Williams Syndrome Association and Heart of Hockeytown Charities.

Domestic Problems: Since jumping out to their first-ever 2-0 start at home, the Griffins are winless at Van Andel Arena in their last three outings (0-1-2-0). They are two games into a stretch that will see them play four straight and six of seven within friendly confines.

Booter in the Show: Griffins right wing Darryl Bootland made his NHL debut for the Red Wings on Saturday in their 4-3 loss to Nashville. He recorded two penalty minutes and an even rating while logging 7:07 over nine shifts.

Shooting Stars: Mark Mowers, who has registered points in eight of the Griffins' first 12 games, leads the team with 11 points. His seven goals tie for fifth in the league...Hugo Boisvert, who netted the game-tying goal on Saturday versus Hamilton, owns a three-game point streak (1-2-3).

Comings and Goings: Saturday, the Griffins signed center Kory Karlander to a pro tryout. The 31-year-old Karlander, who collected 38 points (14-24-38) in 66 games with Grand Rapids from 1998-2000, played in that night's tie with Hamilton before returning to the UHL's Muskegon Fury...Right wing Tim Skarperud was also assigned to the Fury after Saturday's game. He made his UHL debut in the Fury's 4-3 win over Missouri on Sunday, notching the game-winning goal, adding an assist and finishing with a plus-two rating. Skarperud was recalled by the Griffins earlier today.

Youth Shall Be Served: Niklas Kronwall ranks among the AHL's top defensemen with seven points (T10th)...Second-year Griffins blueliners Aaron Schneekloth and Danny Groulx lead the team with ratings of plus-seven and plus-five, respectively. Schneekloth's mark ties for fifth among league rearguards...Nathan Robinson's seven points (2-5-7) tie for fourth on the Griffins.

Big Mac Attack: Following Saturday's 2-2 tie with Hamilton, Griffins goalie Joey MacDonald is now 3-0-1 lifetime against the Bulldogs with a 1.68 GAA and a 0.941 save percentage. He has yet to suffer a loss this season, showing a 3-0-1 mark with a 1.93 GAA and a 0.934 save percentage.

Milestone Watch: Michel Picard played his 300th regular season game as a Griffin last Wednesday against Cincinnati. Picard, who is just eight regular season games shy of 1,000 as a pro, trails only Travis Richards (543 games) on Grand Rapids' all-time games played list...Jeff Nelson has registered 699 points (243-456-699) in 811 professional games...Derek King has appeared in 198 games as a Griffin, and Travis Richards has totaled 197 assists during his pro career.

By the Numbers: Where the Griffins rank among the AHL's 28 teams in various statistical categories: * Power Play: 7-for-65, 10.8% (T25th) * Penalty Killing: 51-for-59, 86.4% (11th) * Penalty Minutes: 13.83 avg. (28th) * Goals For: 2.58 avg. (15th) * Goals Against: 2.50 avg. (13th) * Shots For: 23.00 avg. (28th) * Shots Against: 28.08 avg. (11th) * Attendance: 6,941 avg. (6th)

Red Wings Update: The Griffins are in the second season of a five-year affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings stand in third place in the NHL's Central Division (6-7-1-0), following a 4-3 loss at home to Nashville on Saturday. They'll host Chicago tonight at 7:30 (FSN).

Follow the Griffins Live on the Net: Internet broadcasts of all Griffins games are available live at griffinshockey.com, courtesy of Sportsjuice.com. In addition, new for the 2003-04 season, fans and media can log on to the team's official site or go to theahl.com to view live in-progress box scores of all AHL games.

Get Your Tickets: Tickets for all regular season games at Van Andel Arena are currently on sale. Fans can visit The Zone at Van Andel Arena or any Tickets PLUS location (including Meijer stores), call 222-4000/800-585-3737 or visit griffinshockey.com. Full-season ticket packages, mini-plans and group tickets are available by calling 800-2-HOCKEY.

This Week's Scouting Report

Tue., Nov. 11 vs. Houston Aeros (4-6-1-0) - Van Andel Arena - 12 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WTKG 1230 AM/WHTC 1450 AM at 11:40 a.m. Season Series: 1-0-0-0 Overall, 1-0-0-0 Home. Second of 10 meetings overall, second of five in Grand Rapids. All-Time Series: AHL: 10-7-6-0 Overall, 7-3-2-0 Home. Total: 18-11-10-0 Overall, 11-5-3-0 Home. Houston Affiliation: Minnesota Wild. Head Coach: Todd McLellan (3rd season). Aero Dynamics: The first five meetings of these teams are being staged at Van Andel Arena, with the final five set for the brand new Toyota Center...The defending Calder Cup champs are 2-2 on the road but just 2-4-1-0 in their new digs...Houston was outscored 17-4 during a three-game skid before earning a 4-1 win at Utah on Saturday...The Aeros lead the league in shots per game (36.82) and penalty killing (93.3%)...Houston's team save percentage of 0.884 is tied for worst in the AHL.

Thu., Nov. 13 vs. San Antonio Rampage (8-3-1-0) - Van Andel Arena - 7 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 15 vs. San Antonio Rampage - Van Andel Arena - 7:30 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM at 6:40 p.m. (Thu.) and 7:10 p.m. (Sat.). Season Series: First and second of 10 meetings overall, first and second of five in Grand Rapids. All-Time Series: 6-4-0-0 Overall, 3-2-0-0 Home. San Antonio Affiliation: Florida Panthers. Head Coach: TBA. On a Stampede: Head coach Steve Ludzik today was promoted to parent Florida as an assistant coach for new Panthers bench boss Rick Dudley...The Rampage are tied for the league lead with eight wins but are just 1-1-1-0 on the road...San Antonio has killed off all 25 opponent power plays on the road...Eric Beaudoin's 14 points tie for the league lead, as do Juraj Kolnik's 11 assists...Travis Scott's eight wins pace the circuit (8-2-1, 1.81 GAA, 0.947 save percentage)...

Fri., Nov. 14 at Milwaukee Admirals (5-1-3-1) - Bradley Center - 8 p.m.

TV: None. Radio: WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM at 7:40 p.m. Season Series: First of eight meetings overall, first of four in Grand Rapids. All-Time Series: AHL: 8-4-6-0 Overall, 3-2-4-0 Road. Total: 26-14-10-0 Overall, 10-9-8-0 Road. Milwaukee Affiliation: Nashville Predators. Head Coach: Claude Noel (1st season). Ships Ahoy: The Admirals have earned points in all five road contests (2-0-2-1)...Milwaukee's balanced offense posts the third-most goals (3.10) and second-most shots (34.60) per game in the league...Only one player on the Ads' current roster shows a minus rating...Greg Classen leads the club with eight points (3-5-8).

This Week's Games:
Tue., Nov. 11 Houston Aeros at GRIFFINS 12 p.m. WTKG 1230 AM/WHTC 1450 AM
Thu., Nov. 13 San Antonio Rampage at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM
Fri., Nov. 14 GRIFFINS at Milwaukee Admirals 8 p.m. WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM
Sat., Nov. 15 San Antonio Rampage at GRIFFINS 7:30 p.m. WOOD 1300 AM/WHTC 1450 AM

Last Week's Results:
Wed., Nov. 5 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 4 at GRIFFINS 1 6-4-1-0, 13 pts. (3rd, West Division)
Sat., Nov. 8 Hamilton Bulldogs 2 at GRIFFINS 2 OT 6-4-2-0, 14 pts. (T3rd, West Division)

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from November 10, 2003


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