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RWC Archives - February 11 Grand Rapids Griffins Update
All-star break brings bad luck, injuries to Griffins...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
February 11, 2004
The AHL's all-star weekend wasn't exactly a curse for the Grand Rapids Griffins, but it certainly didn't bring much good luck.
First, defenseman
Niklas Kronwall
was named to the PlanetUSA roster and suffered a broken leg while playing in Detroit. Then, center
Jiri Hudler
took a puck in the throat before the break and was a questionable starter. Finally,
Nathan Robinson
was taken down by a groin injury during the fastest skater competition and will miss several weeks.
The only member of the Grand Rapids contingent to have an injury-free weekend was veteran defenseman Travis Richards.
The following is a report on the Griffins players (statistics listed as GP-G-A-PTS-PIM, plus-minus):
Ryan Barnes
(48-1-10-11-112, plus-1) took advantage of some extra ice time after seeing spot duty for a few games. He brought a spirited effort against Chicago, playing a feisty game and hitting everything in sight.
Darryl Bootland
(30-8-1-9-109, minus-1) is doing what he does best ' yapping, hitting and getting the other team off its game. He has improved his back-checking and is one of the few forwards on the team that consistently goes to the net.
Matt Ellis
(38-3-4-7-15, minus-1) is a top penalty-killer and defensive forward for the Griffins. He has averaged three shots a night over the past 20 games, but the offensive results have yet to come.
Danny Groulx
(52-5-9-14-55, plus-14) has been leading the rush more as his offensive instincts round into form at the pro level. He plays in all situations and has received more and more ice time throughout the season.
Jiri Hudler
(30-9-21-30-20, plus-14) has seen his offensive production fall off lately with just four points in his last nine games. He has coasted at times, and the physical abuse may be starting to take its toll.
Derek King
(51-7-15-22-13, plus-4) had 17 shots but no goals in the last five games. He has become a power-play specialist on the point, playing almost the full two minutes with the man advantage, but receives little even-strength duty.
Tomas Kopecky
(30-4-3-7-18, minus-1) was a healthy scratch one game and saw spot duty in the rest. He was given several shifts with
Michel Picard
and
Nathan Robinson
, but was easily pushed off the puck and failed to make an impression
Marc Lamothe
(36 GP, 1.88 GAA, .928 SPCT) has recovered from an awful start and his numbers are climbing steadily toward the league lead. He has done everything possible to justify the one-way contract he earns.
Joey MacDonald
(17 GP, 2.10 GAA, .932 SPCT) won his only start in the past two weeks, running his impressive record to 11-2-3. While he sees only occasional duty, he rarely disappoints.
Kevin Miller
(46-17-15-32-10, even) has slumped on a line with the stagnant Kory Karlander and the slowing
Jiri Hudler
. However, he's been an indispensable member of the Griffins' penalty-killing unit.
Anders Myrvold
(52-0-15-15-70, plus-2) teases with his NHL-caliber skating ability, but disappoints with his AHL-caliber decision-making. The veteran blueliner always leaves you wanting more.
Michel Picard
(48-10-28-38-27, plus-2) has elevated his play over the past few weeks, averaging a point per game. He has played with a great deal more jump of late and leads the Griffins' offensive attack.
Nathan Robinson
(48-21-20-41-37, plus-11) put on a stickhandling clinic against Chicago, embarrassing several Wolves defenders with his blazing speed and deft puck-control. He continues to initiate contact and play like a bulldog.
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