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RWC Archives - February Griffins Report
Helmer a steadying presence on blue line in Grand Rapids...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
March 3, 2006
Bryan Helmer
doesn't get much attention, but the veteran defenseman is shouldering a heavy load for the Grand Rapids Griffins this season.
The 33-year-old, in the second year of a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, routinely logs more than 25 minutes of ice time. He is typically paired with a rookie, mans the No. 1 power-play unit, and regularly bails out Griffins goalies by being in the right place at the right time.
Helmer stepped it up a notch in February, producing a goal and 10 assists for 11 points along with a plus-7 rating in 12 games. He is among the American Hockey League leaders among blueliners in points (41, seventh) and plus-minus (plus-21, second).
Helmer has 134 games of National Hockey League experience.
With a 42-15-1 record, the Griffins are No. 1 in the AHL, two points ahead of conference the rival Houston Aeros. It's the seventh consecutive 40-win season for Grand Rapids, a minor-pro hockey record. The Griffins have the AHL's best offence (248 goals), top power play (21.6 per cent) and No. 1 goal-scorer in
Donald MacLean
(45 goals).
The following is a review for February:
OFFENSE
' The top line of MacLean,
Matt Ellis
and Nate DiCasmirro combined for 20 goals and 16 assists for 36 points in 12 games.
Tomas Kopecky
,
Valtteri Filppula
and
Darryl Bootland
have also scored important clutch goals as a unit, while
Jiri Hudler
is skating regularly with
Eric Manlow
and
Kent McDonell
.
DEFENSE
' Grand Rapids has moved into the middle of the AHL pack as far as its defensive record goes. Helmer and rookie Clay Wilson had great two-way months, while
Derek Meech
is beginning to play out of a sophomore slump.
Kyle Quincey
has slowed offensivey, but remains an effective defensive presence.
GOALTENDING
'
Joey MacDonald
, who had a slow start to the season, continued his ascent up the list of league leaders. He had five wins, a 2.24 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in February. Rookie backup
Jimmy Howard
won three of four starts and made some strides in finding some consistency.
SPECIAL TEAMS
' The big news in February was improved penalty killing. The Griffins rose eight places from 23rd at 80 percent to 16th at 82.6 per cent. The power play is still tops on the AHL circuit at a deadly 21.6 per cent. The Griffins have scored five power-play goals twice in single games this season.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
' MacLean. For the third consecutive month, MacLean was the club's top performer. He has an incredible 44 goals in his last 52 games and is on a pace for at least 60 goals this season. He had 12 goals and six assists in 12 games in February and was running a 19-game scoring streak at one point.
ROOKIE WATCH
'
Ryan Oulahen
experienced some growing pains last month, going scoreless in 12 games and posting a minus-5. Howard overcame some inconsistency and posted several wins. Wilson, who is under an AHL contract with the Griffins, and Quincey, continue to play well on the blue line.
CURRENT INJURIES
' Travis Richards, back, indefinite ...
NOTABLE MOVEMENT
' Goaltender
Drew MacIntyre
recalled from Toledo (ECHL) ... Defenseman
Niklas Kronwall
assigned by Detroit (NHL) ... MacIntyre returned to Toledo (ECHL)' Kronwall recalled by Detroit (NHL) ... Defenseman Brett Angel signed to PTO from Muskegon (UHL) ...
Tomas Kopecky
recalled by Detroit (NHL) ... Ryan Keller recalled from Muskegon (UHL) ... Kopecky returned by Detroit (NHL) ...
KEY STATS
' MacLean 45 goals are an AHL best ... Hudler is third in the AHL with 78 points ... DiCasmirro is tied with Helmer for third in the AHL with a plus-21... Bootland is second in the AHL with 271 penalty minutes ... With 18 games left, 13 of 19 Griffins have equaled or set career-highs in goals' 14 have career-highs in points'
UP NEXT
' The Griffins start March at home against Cleveland, Rochester and Peoria, before hitting the road against Chicago and Milwaukee. They return to Grand Rapids for a three-game home stand. The Griffins wrap up the month on the road in Cleveland, at home for two games against Rochester, and on the road again against Manitoba.
Jason Kasiorek contributes monthly Grand Rapids Griffins reports. They appear on RedWingsCentral.com at the start of each month.
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