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RWC Archives - March Griffins Report
Howard's record month propels Griffins into stretch drive...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
April 5, 2006
Jimmy Howard
stepped up to the plate in March and delivered the best month by a goaltender in Grand Rapids Griffins franchise history.
The rookie stopper's record-setting ride featured 11 wins in 11 starts, a 1.80 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage. His record for the season is a remarkable 25-5, while his 2.65 goals-against average leaves him among the AHL's leaders.
With the playoffs right around the corner, Howard's strong play has reduced the blow of losing starter
Joey MacDonald
to a back injury.
The Griffins are atop the league with a 53-17-1 record, four wins off the league record (57) and seven points ahead of the competition. They feature the best offense (301 goals) and the top power play (21.4 percent).
Looking ahead to the Calder Cup playoffs, the Griffins are almost guaranteed to face the Toronto Marlies. The two teams split the season series 3-3, but the Marlies lineup could be bolstered once their parent Toronto Maple Leafs are done.
The following is a review for March:
OFFENSE
' The line of
Tomas Kopecky
,
Valtteri Filppula
and
Darryl Bootland
caught fire with 17 goals in 14 games. The troika of
Jiri Hudler
,
Eric Manlow
and
Kent McDonell
also played well, with 39 points in March. The normally unstoppable
Donald MacLean
cooled down, but still managed nine goals among 17 points.
DEFENSE
' The additions of Terry Virtue and
Brett Lebda
solidify this unit. Virtue, a two-time Calder Cup champ, adds veteran leadership to the young roster, while Lebda brings roadrunner speed and offense. Lebda and
Kyle Quincey
now form the No. 1 pairing followed by
Derek Meech
and
Bryan Helmer
on the second unit.
GOALTENDING
' Howard was thrust into the spotlight when MacDonald's wonky back flared up. He provided solid and sometimes spectacular goaltending, helping keep Grand Rapids atop the league.
Drew MacIntyre
was summoned from the East Coast Hockey League as the backup, but has yet to see any ice time.
SPECIAL TEAMS
' With 110 power play goals in 75 games, the Griffins are within striking distance of the league record of 124. Firing along at a 21.4 percent pace, the Griffins continue to lead the league. The penalty killing is improving, rising from 16th to 12th at a respectable 83.2 rate.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
' Howard. His undefeated streak in March knocked three-time reigning winner MacLean off his perch. Even without the club-record streak, Howard has made some great strides this season and is really coming into his own. That said, he has shown a penchant for streakiness in the past.
ROOKIE WATCH
' Howard had a dominant month, while Quincey rounded back into form with six assists and solid defensive play . With three goals and two assists, center
Ryan Oulahen
made the most of limited ice time. Rookie Clay Wilson beat out Greg Amadio and Nick Martens for the sixth spot on the blue line.
CURRENT INJURIES
' Travis Richards, back, indefinite ...
Joey MacDonald
, back, two weeks.
NOTABLE MOVEMENT
' Right wing Ryan Keller returned to Muskegon (UHL) ... Lebda assigned by Detroit (NHL) ... Virtue signed standard players contract' MacIntyre recalled from Toledo (ECHL)... Defenseman Brett Angel released from tryout ... Lebda recalled by Detroit (NHL).
KEY STATS
' MacLean's 53 goals not only leads the league, but established a new pro record in Grand Rapids, breaking the mark of 52 set in the 1950s ... Hudler is second in the AHL with 93 points ... He is also third in assists with a franchise record 57' MacLean is second in the AHL with a franchise record 21 power play goals' Helmer is tied for 5th in scoring among defenseman' DiCasmirro (+26), Helmer (+24), and Filppula (+22) are 3, 4, and 5 in the AHL in plus minus... Bootland is second in the AHL with 344 penalty minutes ... With five games left, 15 of 19 members of the Griffins have equaled or set career-highs in goals ' 16 have career-highs in points.
UP NEXT
' Grand Rapids begins April on the road, playing four games against Manitoba, Cleveland, Syracuse and Rochester. The team concludes the regular season at home against last place San Antonio and ever-dangerous Milwaukee.
Jason Kasiorek contributes monthly Grand Rapids Griffins reports. They appear on RedWingsCentral.com at the start of each month.
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