NOTHING FOR CHRISTMAS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Jimmy Howard stole the show and the game on Saturday at Van Andel Arena, making 28 saves to log his 11th career shutout and guide the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 2-0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals.

Thanks to Howard’s larceny, the Griffins overcame a season-low 16 shots to claim their third home win in four days and their second straight victory over the Admirals, to whom they had lost eight consecutive meetings entering the weekend.

Grand Rapids (16-7-3-3), now 8-1-1-2 in its last 12 home games, will conclude its 3-in-3 and 4-in-5 sets on Sunday with a 6:05 p.m. visit to Rochester that will mark the franchise’s 1000th regular season game.

The night’s early action involved Grand Rapids resident Bernie Loomans, who passed through the turnstiles as the 4 millionth fan in Griffins history, and resident Grand Rapids enforcer Aaron Downey, who fought Kelsey Wilson just eight seconds into the contest.

Howard did yeoman’s work in net over the first two periods, making 19 saves – several of the spectacular variety – to keep the Admirals (17-9-0-1) off the board. Meanwhile, his teammates had managed a season-low three shots in the opening period and had totaled only nine into the waning moments of the middle frame. But Jakub Kindl made the most of the Griffins’ 10th attempt, taking a pass from Evan McGrath on the rush and quickly beating Mark Dekanich from the slot at the 18:11 mark.

Howard’s thievery continued in period three, as he made nine more saves to record his first whitewash of the season and move into sole possession of second place on the team’s all-time shutout list. He passed Marc Lamothe (10) and now trails only Joey MacDonald (16).

Francis Pare tallied into an empty net with 36 seconds remaining for the final margin, giving him five points (2-3—5) in this week’s three victories.

After the game, the Griffins recalled defenseman Brett Peterson from ECHL Phoenix. He is expected to join the team before tomorrow’s contest against the Americans.

Three Stars: 1. GR Howard (SO, 28 saves); 2. GR Kindl (game-winning goal); 3. MIL Dekanich (L, 14 saves)