|
| |
RWC Archives - January 14 Grand Rapids Griffins Update
Hudler returns from WJC and ignites stagnant offense ...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
January 14, 2004
The New Year wasn't kind to the Grand Rapids Griffins, as they kicked off 2004 scoring just one goal in three straight losses.
With usual offensive catalyst Mark Mowers in Detroit, Jiri Hudler returned from a disappointing WJC and scored four goals and an assist in three games to kick-start the Griffins' offense. Danny Groulx continues to lead the defense, scoring his fourth goal of the season and remaining among the league's plus-minus leaders with a plus-14.
The Griffins sit second in the Western Conference with a 22-12-5 record, despite missing key players Niklas Kronwall, Jamie Rivers and Mark Mowers.
Defensemen Travis Richards and Niklas Kronwall, along with forwards Jiri Hudler and Nathan Robinson, have been selected to play in the 2004 All-Star Game, scheduled for Feb. 8 and 9 in Grand Rapids.
The following is a report on the Griffins players (statistics listed as GP-G-A-PTS-PIM, plus-minus):
Ryan Barnes (36-1-8-9-74, plus-1) has seen less ice time lately and was recently a healthy scratch. He has been a grinding, hard-driving forward at times; an enforcer at other times; and an agitator occasionally - and needs to find his calling.
Darryl Bootland (17-6-0-6-62, plus-1) is looking to find his confidence after spending time on the bench in Detroit. His skills appear to have improved, but his on-ice presence isn't what it was earlier in the year.
Matt Ellis (25-2-4-6-13, even) plays with fire and intensity, changing the momentum of a game when he is on the ice. Seeing ice time on a line with Jiri Hudler, Ellis also opened eyes by pummeling Utah's Brett Draney (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) in a rare fight.
Danny Groulx (39-4-6-10-47, plus-14) is gaining confidence in his offensive skills and averaged three shots on goal in the last six games. His defensive game - long his Achilles heel - is sound, and he is logging plenty of ice time.
Jiri Hudler (18-8-13-21-4, plus-15) has a knack for timing, and he had four goals and an assist in three games. He is not afraid to go into traffic and gets his hard shot off quickly from anywhere on the ice.
Derek King (38-4-10-14-8, plus-1) has been used as a defenseman lately, and has more jump in his play. With three points in the last six games, he isn't lighting the world on fire, but he's a good presence on the point with the man advantage.
Tomas Kopecky (19-3-2-5-10, minus-1) has played lackadaisical hockey and has landed in the doghouse with little ice time. He is an extra forward and gets just a couple shifts per game and needs to bear down and play hard to get a regular shift.
Marc Lamothe (27 GP, 1.97 GAA, .924 SPCT) saw his numbers take a hit last week when the Griffins were outscored 12-1 in three games. As usual, he bounced back and provided some stellar goaltending, including several outstanding 2-on-1 saves.
Joey MacDonald (13 GP, 2.32 GAA, .925 SPCT) was pulled from a game for the first time in over a year during a 7-0 drubbing in Milwaukee. He remains tremendous on the road, with a 7-1-1 record this year a two-year total of 18-3-1 away from home.
Kevin Miller (33-12-11-23-8, even) was the biggest beneficiary of Jiri Hudler's return, as he broke out of a long slump and scored four points in the Griffins' 4-3 overtime win over the Cleveland Barons.
Anders Myrvold (39-0-9-9-54, minus-1) has impressive mobility, and during a 4-on-4, whirled around the rink like Paul Coffey. Unfortunately, Myrvold struggles to make quick decisions and doens't handle the puck well in traffic.
Michel Picard (35-6-21-27-18, minus-3) is simply not having a good season - he doesn't have the consistency or the explosiveness he had in the past. He has just seven shots in the last six games and has just six goals in 35 games.
Nathan Robinson (35-14-13-27-23, plus-4) has been affected by the scoring drought but still managed two goals and an assist in six games. Robinson played a strong defensive game during that stretch and kept his plus-minus above zero (unlike most forwards).
|
|
