MILESTONE MILLER
TORONTO – Kip Miller reached a milestone by recording his 100th American Hockey League goal capping off a 4-2 victory for the Grand Rapids Griffins over the Toronto Marlies Friday night at the Ricoh Coliseum. The conclusion of their three-game road trip, the Griffins earned five out of a possible six points improving their record to 2-0-1-0.
The Griffins will host the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights tomorrow evening for their home opener and the first of an eight-game home stand at 7 p.m. EDT.
Krys Kolanos opened the scoring at 3:47 into the game on a tough-angle shot from the bottom of the right circle that found the top corner. Rookie Jonathan Ericsson notched an assist on the play while making his Griffins debut after being assigned by Detroit on Oct. 12.
The Griffins’ streak of 20 perfect penalty kills was halted at 15:03 when the Marlies scored the equalizer during a power play. Marc Moro received credit for the goal that came off a skirmish in front of the Griffins’ net that resulted in the puck sliding through Jimmy Howard’s pads.
The Grand Rapids’ power play answered back late in the period when Josh Langfeld set up Matt Ellis on the doorstep to bury a shot through the five-hole of the goaltender.
Danny Syvret earned his first tally as a Griffin with help from Matt Hussey at 13:20 of the middle frame on a blast from the top of the right circle that soared over the goaltender’s shoulder.
Just 40 seconds into the third period, Kip Miller reached his milestone as Dan Smith launched a rocket that rebounded to Miller who took advantage of the open net. Toronto reduced the margin to two goals when Erik Westrum slid a pass to Jeff Corey for a one-timer from the goal mouth at the 7:58 mark.
Although the Griffins were out-shot 35-28, Howard was stellar in the crease racking up 33 saves.
The Griffins will host the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights tomorrow evening for their home opener and the first of an eight-game home stand at 7 p.m. EDT.
Krys Kolanos opened the scoring at 3:47 into the game on a tough-angle shot from the bottom of the right circle that found the top corner. Rookie Jonathan Ericsson notched an assist on the play while making his Griffins debut after being assigned by Detroit on Oct. 12.
The Griffins’ streak of 20 perfect penalty kills was halted at 15:03 when the Marlies scored the equalizer during a power play. Marc Moro received credit for the goal that came off a skirmish in front of the Griffins’ net that resulted in the puck sliding through Jimmy Howard’s pads.
The Grand Rapids’ power play answered back late in the period when Josh Langfeld set up Matt Ellis on the doorstep to bury a shot through the five-hole of the goaltender.
Danny Syvret earned his first tally as a Griffin with help from Matt Hussey at 13:20 of the middle frame on a blast from the top of the right circle that soared over the goaltender’s shoulder.
Just 40 seconds into the third period, Kip Miller reached his milestone as Dan Smith launched a rocket that rebounded to Miller who took advantage of the open net. Toronto reduced the margin to two goals when Erik Westrum slid a pass to Jeff Corey for a one-timer from the goal mouth at the 7:58 mark.
Although the Griffins were out-shot 35-28, Howard was stellar in the crease racking up 33 saves.