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 Barons: Winning streak snapped by
Griffins, 4-2
Three power play goals propel Grand
Rapids to win
1/24/04 - by Craig Haueter
Despite holding Grand Rapids to a season low 16 shots on goal in the
game, the Barons could not recover from three first period goals scored by the
Griffins as their four-game winning streak came to an end Saturday night at Van
Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Nathan Robinson scored a pair of goals and Michel
Picard added three assists to lead the Grand Rapids scoring. With the victory,
Grand Rapids extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games (7-0-3).
Grand
Rapids took full advantage of the Barons penalty problems in the first period.
Whistled for five minor penalties, the Barons surrendered three power play
goals to the Griffins on four opportunities. While skating five-on-three, the
Griffins grabbed an early lead on a slap shot from Derek King at the 4:19 mark.
Tomas Kopecky followed with a power play tally of his own for a 2-0 lead at the
14:20 mark. Less than two minutes later, Nathan Robinson converted his 19th
goal of the season for a third power play goal of the period and a 3-0
advantage. Finally with just under three minutes to play in the opening period,
Jon DiSalvatore set up Patrick Rissmiller for his 9th goal of the season on a
Barons power play of their own to cut the lead to two, snapping
Rissmiller’s 19-game streak without a goal.
The second period saw
Cleveland pull within one goal at the 12:32 mark. Craig Valette was led on a
break from center ice with a great pass from Robert Mulick. Valette, getting
hooked all the way down the ice by Grand Rapids Travis Richards, muscled his
way to the net and shuffled the puck between the legs of Marc Lamothe.
Lamothe made 13 saves in the final period to preserve the win for Grand Rapids
including several during a key five-minute power play by the Barons. Nathan
Robinson’s second goal of the game put an end to the Barons comeback with
3:11 to play in the game. Even with the loss, the Barons won the season series
with a 2-1-0-1 record against the Griffins who currently own the league’s
best record. Cleveland returns to the ice Sunday night back in Cleveland to
face Cincinnati and cap off a three-in-three weekend.
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