SAME FACE, DIFFERENT PLACE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Sunday assigned goaltender Jimmy Howard to the Grand Rapids Griffins, who subsequently released netminder Joel Martin from his professional tryout.

Howard, 24, saw his first NHL action in nearly one year last night, stopping 24 of 28 shots in the Red Wings’ 5-2 loss at Minnesota. In 33 appearances with the Griffins this season, he shows a 15-13-4 record and ranks among the American Hockey League’s leaders with a 2.46 goals against average (11th), a 0.916 save percentage (12th) and three shutouts (T7th).

Howard is scheduled to start for the Griffins at 4 p.m. today when they host the San Antonio Rampage in their third home game in less than 48 hours.