LUCKY SEVEN, GRIFFINS BEAT ADMIRALS, 1-0
MILWAUKEE, Wis. The Grand Rapids Griffins (14-5-1-0) defeated the defending Calder Cup champion Milwaukee Admirals (13-3-2-1) 1-0 at the Bradley Center on Friday night to move into a tie atop the West Division with 29 points. The win improves the Griffins record on the road to a perfect 7-0-0-0.
In the second of the Griffins Hockeytown Heroes series, former Detroit Red Wing Dino Ciccarelli will sign autographs for fans when the Griffins host the Utah Grizzlies for their initial meeting of the season Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Joey MacDonald, already the franchises all-time leader in leader in shutouts, made 32 saves for his 13th blanking as a Griffin.
The Admirals started the game as the circuits top penalty killing unit thwarting 92 percent of their opponents man-up situations. On its second opportunity of the night, Grand Rapids managed to crack Milwaukees top-ranked penalty kill for the only goal of the game. Niklas Kronwall moved from the top of the right circle to the middle of the blue line, drawing two defenders. Todd Robinson glided into the vacated area. Kronwall slid a pass to Robinson who promptly fired a shot into the top right corner at 4:42 of the second period for his first goal as a Griffin.
The Griffins converted one of three power plays while denying the Admirals on their six opportunities.
The teams traded scoring chances throughout the remainder of the contest, but were unable to penetrate the two netminders. Brian Finley made 24 saves in a losing effort for Milwaukee.
In the second of the Griffins Hockeytown Heroes series, former Detroit Red Wing Dino Ciccarelli will sign autographs for fans when the Griffins host the Utah Grizzlies for their initial meeting of the season Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Joey MacDonald, already the franchises all-time leader in leader in shutouts, made 32 saves for his 13th blanking as a Griffin.
The Admirals started the game as the circuits top penalty killing unit thwarting 92 percent of their opponents man-up situations. On its second opportunity of the night, Grand Rapids managed to crack Milwaukees top-ranked penalty kill for the only goal of the game. Niklas Kronwall moved from the top of the right circle to the middle of the blue line, drawing two defenders. Todd Robinson glided into the vacated area. Kronwall slid a pass to Robinson who promptly fired a shot into the top right corner at 4:42 of the second period for his first goal as a Griffin.
The Griffins converted one of three power plays while denying the Admirals on their six opportunities.
The teams traded scoring chances throughout the remainder of the contest, but were unable to penetrate the two netminders. Brian Finley made 24 saves in a losing effort for Milwaukee.