This Week’s Games

GRIFFINS (49-15-4-1) at Iowa Wild (26-34-6-3) // Wed., April 15 // 8 p.m. EDT // Casey’s Center 

Listen: WOOD 106.9 FM & 1300 AM at 7:45 p.m. EDT

Watch: AHLTV on FloHockey  

Season Series: 6-1-0-0 Overall, 3-0-0-0 Away. Eighth of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at the Casey’s Center 

All-Time Series: 60-27-6-4 Overall, 31-15-1-1 Away

NHL Affiliation: Minnesota Wild 

Noteworthy: Under Dan Watson, the Griffins are 17-4-1-1 (.783) against the Iowa Wild since the 2023-24 campaign with a plus-26 scoring margin. 

GRIFFINS at Milwaukee Admirals (32-30-4-3) // Fri., April 17 // 8 p.m. EDT // Panther Arena 

Listen: WOOD 106.9 FM & 1300 AM at 7:45 p.m. EDT

Watch: AHLTV on FloHockey 

Season Series: 6-2-3-0 Overall, 3-1-1-0 Away. Twelve of 12 meetings overall, sixth of six at Panther Arena

All-Time Series: 123-89-7-12-8 Overall, 56-48-5-7-5 Away

NHL Affiliation: Nashville Predators

Noteworthy: Milwaukee is the only team to defeat the Griffins five times this year. Grand Rapids is on a three-game winless skid against the Admirals since March 14 (0-2-1-0).      

GRIFFINS at Cleveland Monsters (35-26-6-3) // Sun., April 19 // 3 p.m. // Rocket Arena 

Listen: WOOD 106.9 FM & 1300 AM at 2:45 p.m.

Watch: AHLTV on FloHockey 

Season Series: 5-2-0-0 Overall, 2-1-0-0 Away. Eighth of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at Rocket Arena

All-Time Series: 83-43-9-14 Overall, 35-24-5-10 Away

NHL Affiliation: Columbus Blue Jackets 

Noteworthy: In the last five seasons since 2021-22, the Griffins are 22-9-4-4 (.667) against the Monsters and have outscored them 120-104.

The Time is Now: On March 3, the Griffins claimed the Western Conference regular-season title, which marked their third regular-season conference championship as members of the AHL (2005-06, 2002-03) and the fifth in franchise history, including IHL Eastern Conference crowns in 2000-01 and 1999-00. Grand Rapids also clinched the Central Division title on March 26, which marked their sixth division crown as a member of the AHL. It also marked the Griffins’ first division title since 2014-15, when they won the Midwest, and the first Central Division title since 2002-03. The Griffins clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs on Feb. 27, marking the earliest clinching date in franchise history (previously March 6) and the earliest for an AHL team since 1993, when the Binghamton Rangers clinched on Feb. 24 with 24 games remaining. The Griffins will return to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the third straight season under head coach Dan Watson. Watson, who has never missed the postseason as a pro head coach, has a 5-7 playoff record in the previous two seasons with Grand Rapids, which includes a trip to the 2024 division finals. Grand Rapids, which has won two Calder Cups (2017 and 2013), is 86-71 (.548) all time during the AHL’s postseason. Grand Rapids is 38-11-4-1 against its division rivals, which are the most divisional wins since 2016-17 (40-20-1-3). The Griffins have the possibility of playing either Texas, Manitoba or Milwaukee in the Central Division Semifinals, as they will play the winner of the best-of-three first-round series between the fourth and fifth seeds.

Ups and Downs: The Griffins dropped both games last week with a minus-six margin (9-3) after rattling off a five-game win streak from March 26-April 4. In the five games in April, Grand Rapids has averaged 4.20 goals per game while allowing 2.80 goals. The Griffins have continued their historic campaign with a 49-15-4-1 ledger and 103 points through 69 games. Grand Rapids reached at least 100 points for the first time since 2016-17 and the 103 points are the fifth-most in franchise history. The Griffins also reached the 100-point mark (66 games) faster than any team in franchise history (previously 69 games in 2005-06). The team saw its franchise-record tying 15-game win streak from Nov. 22-Dec. 27 come to an end in overtime on Dec. 31, which also tied for the sixth-longest run in AHL history. In addition, the Griffins’ 19-game point streak from Nov. 22-Jan. 7 (18-0-1-0) ended on Jan. 9, which tied for the longest run in franchise history (see table). The Griffins are 25-6-1-1 on the road and 24-9-3-0 at home. The 17-game points streak on the road from Oct. 10-Jan. 23 (15-0-1-1) set a new AHL record, eclipsing the 2010-11 Milwaukee Admirals’ 16-game run (10-0-4-2). 

Rewrite the Record Book: With the historic season the Griffins have had, several players have joined the franchise’s all-time single-season record book. John Leonard ranks among the single-season leaders in goals (32, T9th), shorthanded goals (5, T1st), game-winners (8, 5th), unassisted goals (4, T5th), shootout percentage (.750, T6th) and shooting percentage (.200, 5th). William Lagesson is tied for ninth in plus-minus (+30), Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is tied for fifth in game-winners (8), Amadeus Lombardi is tied for first in overtime goals (3), Dominik Shine is first in shooting percentage (.210), and Eduards Tralmaks is tied for second in shooting percentage (.207). In net, Sebastian Cossa is eighth in wins (26) and tied for seventh in shutouts (5). Fellow goaltender Michal Postava ranks first in GAA (1.78) and second in save percentage (.935). In addition, Leonard (32) is the Griffins’ first 30-goal scorer since Eric Tangradi (31) in 2017-18, and his 32 goals are the most by a Griffin since 2014-15 (Teemu Pulkkinen 34). Leonard, Tralmaks (25), Sheldon Dries (23), Shine (21) and Brandsegg-Nygard (20) have all hit the 20-goal mark this season, which marks the first time since 2017-18 that Grand Rapids has at least five 20-goal scorers. Brandsegg-Nygard is also the 11th Griffins rookie to score 20 goals and the first since Jonatan Berggren (21) in 2021-22. 

Record Watch: The Griffins have already set the best road record in franchise history with a .788 points percentage (25-6-1-1), beating out the previous record of .713 (26-9-3-2) set in 2002-03. Grand Rapids needs just one win in its final three road games to tie the team record of 26 victories from 2002-03, when it played 40 road contests instead of the current 36. The Griffins also need just one point over their final three games to finish with the best overall record in franchise history. The team is currently at .746 (49-15-4-1), and with one more point can finish no worse than .722, beating the previous record of .719 (55-20-1-4), set in 2005-06.

Welcome to Grand Rapids: Below is a list of players who have recently joined the Griffins following their European or collegiate seasons. 
- Trey Augustine (from Michigan State (NCAA)): Made pro debut on April 10 against Chicago (L, 26 saves)
- Kienan Draper (from Michigan (NCAA)): Signed to an ATO by Grand Rapids in April 13
- Eddie Genborg (from Timra (Sweden)): Two points (1-1—2) in nine AHL games. Made AHL debut on March 20 at Rockford. First AHL goal on April 4 at Manitoba
- Anton Johansson (from Leksands (Sweden)): Three points (1-2—3) in five AHL games. First AHL goal on April 4 at Manitoba
- Dylan James (from North Dakota (NCAA)): Signed to an ATO by Grand Rapids on April 12
- Jesse Kiiskinen (from HPK (Finland)): Made AHL debut on April 11 against Rockford (one assist)

Important Starts: Playing with a lead has been crucial for the Griffins this season, as they are 36-3-1-0 when scoring the game’s first goal compared to 13-12-3-1 when conceding the opening tally. In addition, Grand Rapids is 22-0 when leading after the first period and 4-7-2-1 when trailing after the opening frame. When trailing after the second stanza, the Griffins are just 5-11-0-1 compared to 33-0 when leading after the second.

Putting the League on Notice: Rookie netminder Michal Postava is 15-6-0 with three shutouts, a 1.78 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in 23 games. In a 5-0 victory at Rockford on April 1, Postava logged his third shutout of the campaign behind 18 saves, which tied for the most shutouts by a Griffins rookie in a single season. If he had enough minutes played to qualify (98 short), Postava would rank first in the league in GAA and save percentage, and tie for eighth in shutouts. He tied a franchise record by becoming the 10th netminder in team history to post back-to-back shutouts from Jan. 17-21. Postava collected his first AHL shutout on Jan. 17 with 10 saves in a 2-0 victory over Milwaukee and followed that performance with a 19-save blanking of Milwaukee on Jan. 21. Postava logged a shutout streak of 156:20 from Jan. 9-25, which was 3:47 short of breaking the franchise record by Jared Coreau in 2014-15 (160:06). Last season, Postava became a Czech Extraliga champion with Kometa Brno, showing a league-best .940 save percentage with a 1.97 GAA and a 10-7 record in 17 playoff games. During the regular season with Kometa Brno, Postava ranked among the Czech Extraliga leaders in save percentage (.921, 5th), GAA (2.39, 11th), wins (23, 4th), games played (42, T2nd) and shutouts (3, T7th). As an undrafted free agent, Postava signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings last summer.

What’s The Password?: The Griffins’ defense remains the best in the AHL, as it ranks first with 2.19 goals allowed per contest. Grand Rapids posted its ninth shutout of the season on April 1 at Rockford, which are the most since 2008-09 (9). The Griffins shut out their opponent in two straight games from Jan. 17-21 in addition to posting consecutive shutouts from Dec. 21-27. Prior to this season, the last time Grand Rapids logged two straight shutouts was Feb. 15-17, 2018. The Griffins have allowed more than two goals just 24 times all season (34.8%) but have averaged 2.80 goals allowed in their last five outings. In addition, the team’s penalty kill is first in the AHL at 86.0%. In net, Sebastian Cossa sports a 2.28 GAA with a .917 save percentage and five shutouts, while rookie netminder Michal Postava possesses a 1.78 GAA, a .935 save percentage and three shutouts.

Pucks on Net: Grand Rapids has posted at least four goals in five of its last nine games and has average 4.20 goals per game in April. The Griffins now rank second in the AHL with 3.45 goals per game. The team has outscored its opponents 238-151 and is 36-3-1-0 when scoring the game’s first goal. The Griffins have outscored their opponents 110-78 at home, while possessing a 128-73 advantage on the road. Grand Rapids has its largest scoring margin against its opponents in the third period (97-48). John Leonard leads the team and is tied for second in the AHL with 32 goals, while Eduards Tralmaks ranks second on the roster with 25 and Sheldon Dries places third with 23. Leonard, Tralmaks, Dries, Dominik Shine (21) and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (20) have all hit the 20-goal mark this season, which marks the first time since 2017-18 that Grand Rapids has at least five 20-goal scorers. Brandsegg-Nygard is also the 11th Griffins rookie to score 20 goals and the first since Jonatan Berggren (21) in 2021-22.

The Leader: John Leonard is on a five-game point streak from April 1-11 (2-5—7) and has 13 points in his last 13 AHL outings (6-7—13). The 27-year-old leads the team in points (32-21—53) and goals (32), while tying for fourth in assists. Leonard ranks among the AHL leaders in goals (T2nd), shorthanded goals (T1st) and game-winners (T2nd). He also places third in points-per-game (1.18) among players with at least 40 games played. Leonard logged a team-best six-game goal streak from Oct. 11-Nov. 2, which marked a career high, and showed a 10-game point streak from Oct. 10-Nov. 19, which set a career high and a new franchise record to begin a season. 

The Well is not Dry: Sheldon Dries enjoyed a season-high six-game point streak (2-5—7) from March 7-April 4 and has 10 points (5-5—10) in his last 11 AHL outings. Throughout 55 AHL games this season, Dries has 44 points (23-21—44) and a career-high plus-19 rating. The Macomb, Michigan, native is tied for second on the roster in points, tied for fourth in assists, and third in goals. He was selected as the Howies Hockey Tape/ AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 21 when he logged six points (2-4—6) and a plus-eight rating in three games. Throughout his nine-year AHL career, Dries has 288 points (161-127—288), 270 penalty minutes and a plus-46 rating in 394 games. He made his Red Wings debut on March 12 at Tampa Bay and has appeared in five games with Detroit this season.

Record Setters: Below is a list of team and league records that the Griffins have either set or tied this season. 
- Best record in AHL history through 25 games (23-1-0-1, 47 pts.), 30 games (27-1-1-1, 56 pts.), 40 games (32-5-2-1, 67 pts.) and 50 games (40-7-2-1, 83 pts.), while tying for the best start through 35 games (29-3-2-1, 61 pts.)
- Second-best record in AHL history through 55 games (42-9-3-1, 88 pts.)
- Tied second-best record in AHL history through 45 games (35-7-2-1, 73 pts.) 
- Reached the 60-point mark in just 32 games, three games faster than any team in AHL history
- AHL record 17-game road points streak from Oct. 10-Jan. 23 (15-0-1-1)
- Tied franchise-record 15-game winning streak from Nov. 22-Dec. 27, which also tied for sixth-longest in AHL history
- Tied franchise-record 19-game points streak from Nov. 22-Jan. 7 (18-0-1-0)
- Franchise-record start with an 8-0 record and was the league’s last undefeated team for first time since 2000-01 IHL season
- Started 6-0 at home for first time since 2009-10 (8-0)
- Franchise record for largest margin of victory (9) on Nov. 25 at Texas (10-1 W) 
- Franchise record for fewest shots in a game (10) on Jan. 17 versus Milwaukee 
- Earliest playoff clinching date in franchise history on Feb. 27 (previously March 6)
- Second-earliest division title in franchise history on March 26 (previously March 9) 
- Fastest to 100 points in franchise history in game 66 (previously game 69 in 2005-06) 
- Franchise record for most home wins (24) in a 36-game slate (previously 23 in 2023-24)
- Franchise record for most road points (52) in a 36-game slate (previously 42 in 2024-25)
- Franchise record for most road wins (25) in a 36-game slate (previously 20 in 2024-25)
- Franchise record for best road points percentage (.788) across all 30 seasons (previously .713 in 2002-03)
- Franchise record for most overall points (103) in a 72-game season (previously 86 in 2023-24)
- Franchise record for most overall wins (49) in a 72-game season (previously 37 in 2024-25 & 2023-24)
- Franchise record for best points percentage (.746) in a 72-game season (previously .597 in 2023-24)

Untouchables: Below are statistical categories in which the Griffins are undefeated in regulation.
- 22-0 when leading after the first period
- 33-0 when leading after the second period 
- 11-0 in games decided by four or more goals
- 42-0-2-1 when scoring at least three goals
- 4-0 when allowing 10-19 shots 

The Brick Wall: Sebastian Cossa, the 15th overall pick in 2021, collected his fifth shutout of the season on Feb. 15 against Texas with 26 saves and enjoyed a seven-game point streak from Feb. 3-28 (6-0-1). His career-high five shutouts are the most by a Griffin since 2015-16 (Jared Coreau). Cossa has a 26-8-4 record with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He enjoyed a career-high 10-game win streak from Nov. 25-Dec. 27, showing a 1.51 GAA and a .939 save percentage, and a 14-game point streak from Nov. 25-Jan. 13 (12-0-2). In the AHL rankings, Cossa ranks fifth in GAA, fourth in save percentage, second in shutouts, second in wins and 10th in minutes played (2261:50). Cossa won two straight AHL Goaltender of the Month awards (November and December), becoming the first netminder in franchise history to receive the honor twice in the same season. The 23-year-old also became just the third goaltender in team history to win the award twice in any fashion, joining Jared Coreau (Feb. 2018, Dec. 2015) and Jimmy Howard (Dec. 2007, March 2006). In parts of four seasons with Grand Rapids since 2022-23, Cossa has notched a 70-33-18 mark with eight shutouts to go along with a 2.44 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 122 outings, becoming just the sixth netminder to reach the century mark with the team.

United Nations: The Griffins’ roster is comprised of nine different nationalities. Grand Rapids’ lineup on March 24 included players from nine different birth countries, which was a first in the franchise’s 30-year history. 
Canada (7): Nate Danielson, Alex Doucet, Tyler Angle, Amadeus Lombardi, Sebastian Cossa, Michael Milne, Dylan James 
USA (7): Sheldon Dries, John Leonard, Carson Bantle, Austin Watson, Shai Buium, Trey Augustine, Kienan Draper
Sweden (6): Gabriel Seger, Eddie Genborg, William Wallinder, Anton Johansson, William Lagesson, Erik Gustafsson
Czechia (2): Ondrej Becher, Jakub Rychlovsky
Finland (2): Antti Tuomisto, Jesse Kiiskinen
Norway (1): Michael Brandsegg-Nygard 
Latvia (1): Eduards Tralmaks
Poland (1): Wojciech Stachowiak
Thailand (1): Alex Kannok Leipert 

AHL Leaderboard Tracker:  
x Michael Brandsegg-Nygard—Tied for second in game-winners (8), fifth among rookies in goals (20), tied for 12th among rookies in assists (24), tied for seventh among rookies in points (44), sixth among rookies in plus-minus (+19), tied for fourth among rookies in power-play goals (7), tied for seventh among rookies in shots (139), first among rookies in game-winners (8)
Sebastian Cossa—Fifth in GAA (2.28), fourth in save percentage (.917), second in shutouts (5), second in wins (26), 12th in games played (38), 10th in minutes played (2261:50)
Erik Gustafsson—Tied for 11th among defensemen in assists (31) 
Alex Kannok Leipert—Tied for 13th in shorthanded assists (2), tied for fifth among defensemen in shorthanded assists (2)
William Lagesson—Tied for fourth in plus-minus (+30), tied for second among defensemen in plus-minus (+30)
John Leonard—Tied for second in goals (32), tied for first in shorthanded goals (5), tied for second in game-winners (8)
Amadeus Lombardi—Tied for 11th in game-winners (5)
Eduards Tralmaks—Tied for 13th in plus-minus (+26)
Antti Tuomisto—Tied for 10th in plus-minus (+27), tied for sixth among defensemen in plus-minus (+27)
Austin Watson—Seventh in penalty minutes (146)

Milestones: Last Saturday against Rockford, Jesse Kiiskinen collected an assist during his AHL debut.   
Tyler Angle—Two assists from 100 as a pro
Jakub Rychlovsky—Three assists from 100 as a pro
Wojciech Stachowiak—Two games from 300 as a pro
Antti Tuomisto—Two points from 100 as a pro
Austin Watson—Three points from 200 in the AHL

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins