Wolves nip Griffs, 2-1
Published on April 3, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
Rosemont, Ill. - The Grand Rapids Griffins (42-26-8-0) lost by a 2-1 margin to the Chicago Wolves (39-25-9-3) at the Allstate Arena on Saturday night. The loss drops Grand Rapids six points behind the Milwaukee Admirals for the top spot in the West Division and two points ahead of the Chicago Wolves for the runner-up position. Each of the three teams has four games remaining on their schedules.
If the playoffs were to begin on Sunday, the Griffins would host the Wolves in a best-of-seven series.
All of scoring in the contest occurred in the last five minutes of the first period.
Chicago opened the scoring with a controversial goal by Stephen Baby. Baby gathered a loose puck in the crease and wristed a shot toward the Griffins net at 15:25 of the first period. The puck appeared to ring off the crossbar and bounce in front of the goal line and away from the cage allowing play to continue. The goal judge ruled that the puck crossed the line and turned the goal light on. At the next stoppage of play, the referee conferred with a linesman and the goal judge and awarded a goal giving Chicago a 1-0 lead. Steve Maltais and Brian Maloney assisted on the goal.
The Wolves opened a two-goal lead with a power play marker by Shawn Heins. Brendan Yarema spotted Heins sneaking in from his point and threaded a cross-ice pass allowing Heins to tap the puck into the open side of the net at 18:22 of the opening period. Greg Hawgood also assisted on the goal.
Nathan Robinson scored the lone goal for the Griffins with 32.2 seconds remaining in the first period. Following a Chicago turnover at their blue line, Michel Picard picked up the loose puck and marched toward the Chicago goal. He neatly slid a pass to Robinson who one-timed the puck into the top corner of the net.
The teams would trade scoring chances throughout the balance of the game, but neither goaltender would budge. The Griffins Joey MacDonald stopped 24 shots while the Wolves Frederic Cassivi made 33 saves. Cassivi has stopped 62 of 63 shots over the last two nights against Grand Rapids.
The Griffins will travel to Toronto to play the Roadrunners on Sunday at the Ricoh Coliseum at 5 p.m.
View this game's official box score on-line at griffinshockey.com.
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