Griffins Game #21 * Road Game #10 * AHL Game #351

Season Series: 3-0-0-0 Home Series: 2-0-0-0 Road Series: 1-0-0-0
All-Time Series: 38-37-6-2 All-Time Home Series: 22-17-3-1 All-Time Road Series: 16-20-3-1

Griffins at Marlies
Fourth of four meetings overall, second of two at Coca-Cola Coliseum…Toronto is one of just five current AHL teams the Griffins have a losing record against on the road...In the last five years since 2021-22, the Griffins are 6-6-3-0 (.500) against Toronto and have been outscored 55-46...Grand Rapids is 3-3-1-0 (.500) against the Marlies on the road since 2021-22 and has been outscored 25-22...Toronto is 4-4-0-1 at home compared to 6-6-1-0 on the road…The Griffins have won seven straight...Toronto is 4-5-1-0 in its last 10 games and Grand Rapids is 9-1-0-0 in its last 10...Toronto’s power play ranks 26th at 14.3% and its penalty kill is 19th at 79.7%...The Marlies rank 22nd with 2.91 goals per game and 17th with 3.18 goals allowed...Justin Holl skated for the Marlies from 2015-18, winning the 2018 Calder Cup. Holl also competed for the Maple Leafs from 2017-23, spending eight total seasons with the franchise...William Lagesson suited up for both the Marlies and Maple Leafs in 2023-24 and Erik Gustafsson played for the Maple Leafs in 2022-23...Amadeus Lombardi is from the Toronto area (Aurora) and played for the Toronto Titans in the GTHL from 2018-20...Marlies’ head coach John Gruden skated for the Griffins from 1999-2002, representing the team at two all-star games (2000 IHL & 2002 AHL) and garnering a spot on the 2001-02 AHL First All-Star Team. Gruden also played for Ferris State University from 1990-94. 

Last Time Out
With a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Marlies at the Coca-Cola Coliseum on Saturday, the Griffins secured the third-best start in the 90-year history of the AHL through 20 games with a franchise-record 37 points and an 18-1-0-1 record. Out of 1,428 team seasons, the Griffins’ 20-game start (18-1-0-1, 37 points, .925) is surpassed only by the 2004-05 Manchester Monarchs (19-1-0-0, 38 points, .950) and the 2005-06 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (18-0-2-0, 38 points, .950). Their 18 wins tie for the second-most ever and their 37 points rank third. Erik Gustafsson picked up three assists, tying his career high, while Michael Brandsegg-Nygard grabbed the game-winner in the final period. Sebastian Cossa extended his win streak to five games, recording 23 saves.

This Date in Griffins History
2007: Jimmy Howard stopped all 26 shots he faced for his second shutout in three games, and the Griffins leapfrogged from fifth place into a tie for third in the North Division with a 2-0 triumph over the Syracuse Crunch on Friday at Van Andel Arena. 

You Get an Award, and You Get an Award, and You Get an Award
The Griffins cleaned up during the AHL monthly awards for November. John Leonard was named the player of the month, and Sebastian Cossa was dubbed the goaltender of the month. It marked the first time in franchise history that the team garnered both the player and goaltender of the month awards. Leonard became only the third player in franchise history to win the award and Cossa became just the fourth goaltender. In addition, Cossa was named the AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 30 when he went 3-0 with one shutout, a 1.33 GAA and a .945 save percentage. In November, Cossa posted a 5-1 record, a 1.50 GAA and a .941 save percentage. Leonard logged 16 points (9-7—16) in 10 games during November and was held scoreless in just one game. His stat line included three game-winners, two three-point outings and five multi-point games. 

Just Keep Winning
The Griffins have continued their franchise-record start with an 18-1-0-1 ledger and 37 points through 20 games. The 37 points through 20 games is the third-best start in the 90-year history of the AHL and the 18 wins tie for the second-most ever (see table). The perfect 8-0 start was the best by an AHL team in four years, and Grand Rapids was the league’s last undefeated team for the first time since the 2000-01 IHL season. The Griffins’ 10-1 victory at Texas last Tuesday marked the largest margin of victory in franchise history. The Griffins’ 8-0-0-1 start on the road is the best in franchise history (previously 8-1 in 2004-05), and the 10-1 start at home is also a new franchise best. 

Pucks on Net
The Griffins exploded for 10 goals last Tuesday against Texas, which were the most goals scored since Jan. 19, 2013. In the two games at Texas last week, Grand Rapids totaled 16 goals over consecutive outings for the first time since Jan. 19-23, 2013 (11-6 W at RFD, 5-4 SOW vs. OKC). The team now has 27 goals in its last six games (4.50 per game). The Griffins rank first in the AHL with 4.00 goals per game and have outscored their opponents 80-37. The Griffins have outscored their opponents 38-16 at home, while possessing a 42-21 advantage on the road. Grand Rapids has its largest scoring margin against its opponents in the third period (31-12). In addition to ranking first in goals, the Griffins place 11th in shots per game (29.7). John Leonard leads the team and league with 17 goals, Eduards Tralmaks ranks second on the roster with 11, and Dominik Shine places third with 10.  

Historic Run
John Leonard has 26 points and 17 goals through his first 17 games as a Griffin. Leonard was named the Fortune Tires “Expect More” AHL Player of the Month for November with 16 points (9-7—16) in 10 games. He became just the third player in franchise history to win the award, joining Riley Barber (April 2022) and Chris Minard (Feb. 2012). Leonard’s career-best 10-game point streak set a franchise record to begin both a season and a Griffins career. His career-high six-game goal streak from Oct. 11-Nov. 2 tied with teammate Austin Watson, Jiri Hudler, Kip Miller and Pavol Demitra for the third-longest run in franchise history. Leonard is first in the AHL in goals, second in points, tied for ninth in plus-minus (+12), and first in points-per-game among players with at least 10 games (1.53). Last season, he ranked among the league leaders in points (61, T10th), goals (36, T2nd), power-play goals (10, T9th), short-handed goals (5, T1st) and shots (252, 2nd). Throughout his six-year AHL career since 2020-21, Leonard has 197 points (100-97—197) in 266 games. 

Future is Bright
Sebastian Cossa, the 15th overall pick in 2021, is off to a 10-1-0 start this season with a 1.56 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. Cossa was named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for November with a 5-1 record, one shutout, a 1.50 GAA and a .941 save percentage. He became just the fourth netminder in franchise history to win the award, joining Jared Coreau, Jimmy Howard and Simon Lajeunesse. In the AHL rankings, Cossa ranks first in GAA, first in save percentage, tied for third in shutouts and tied for first in wins. He registered his second shutout of the season last Sunday behind 26 saves in a 1-0 win over Iowa. It marked his fifth AHL shutout and ninth as a pro. Last season, Cossa was named to his first AHL All-Star Classic and ranked among the AHL regular-season leaders in games played (41, T8th), minutes played (2,424:37, 7th), GAA (2.45, 11th), save percentage (.911, T13th), and wins (21, T10th). In parts of four seasons with Grand Rapids since 2022-23, Cossa has notched a 54-26-14 mark with five shutouts to go along with a 2.41 GAA and a .913 save percentage in 95 outings. 

Just Getting Started
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard was one of three rookies to make the Detroit Red Wings’ opening-night roster out of training camp. The 15th overall pick in 2024 showed one assist in nine games with Detroit before being assigned to the Griffins on Oct. 27. The Oslo, Norway, native has 12 points (4-8—12) in his last 10 appearances with Grand Rapids. Brandsegg-Nygard has posted two points in four of his last six outings. He has 14 points (5-9—14) in 15 AHL games this season, which is tied for 13th among first-year AHL players and his nine assists are tied for ninth. Last year, Brandsegg-Nygard tied for the team lead with three points (2-1—3) in three Calder Cup Playoff games, following his SHL season with Skelleftea. The 20-year-old has also competed with Team Norway in the last two World Championships, totaling a combined nine points (3-6—9) in 12 outings. 

On the Right Trail
Riga, Latvia, native Eduards Tralmaks tallied his first AHL hat trick last Tuesday at Texas. He now has nine points (7-2—9) in his last 10 games and ranks second on the team with 11 goals. His 11 goals are also tied for fourth in the AHL. Last season, Tralmaks ranked first in the Czech Extraliga with a career-best 51 points (23-28—51) in 48 games, adding career-high totals in goals (23), assists (28) and penalty minutes (66). He also competed for Team Latvia at the last two World Championships and posted seven points (3-4—7) in seven games during the 2025 tournament. After spending the previous two campaigns in Czechia, Tralmaks returned to the AHL for the first time since 2022-23. As a free agent out of the University of Maine, Tralmaks signed with the Providence Bruins in 2021 and skated in three seasons with the franchise, compiling 41 points (22-19—41) in 87 contests. 

Defense Wins Championships
The Griffins’ defense is one of the best in the AHL, as it ranks first with 1.85 goals allowed per contest. Grand Rapids has allowed more than two goals just twice in its last 14 games and has averaged just 1.44 goals allowed in its last nine outings. In addition, the team’s penalty kill places first at 88.5% (54-for-61). Despite ranking first in goals allowed, the Griffins are tied for 21st with 29.1 shots allowed per game. In net, Sebastian Cossa sports a 1.56 GAA with a .943 save percentage, while rookie Michal Postava possesses a 2.15 GAA and a .936 save percentage. The Griffins have four defensemen who have played at least 100 games in the NHL in Erik Gustafsson (516), Justin Holl (396), Ian Mitchell (110), and William Lagesson (107). Last season, the Griffins finished ninth in the AHL with 2.82 goals allowed per game but spent much of the campaign in the top five for goals allowed per contest. 

Special Powers
The Griffins scored on the power play in four straight games from Nov. 1-12 (6-for-16, 37.5%), and have since gone 6-for-23 (26.1%) in their last 10 games. Grand Rapids’ power play is sixth in the AHL at 25.4% (15-for-59). However, the Griffins have allowed four shorthanded goals this season, which is tied for third in the AHL. The penalty kill has allowed just three power-play goals in the last 13 games (32-for-35, 91.4%) and ranks first overall in the AHL at 88.5% (54-for-61). The 61 times shorthanded are tied for the fourth-fewest in the league. 

Shine On, Captain
On Oct. 9, Dominik Shine was named the 19th captain in franchise history. He is in his 10th season with Grand Rapids, becoming just the third player in team history to reach the milestone (Brian Lashoff 14, Travis Richards 10). Shine collected his first-career hat trick last Tuesday in Texas, and last Wednesday became just the seventh Griffin to reach 200 points with the team. He has 13 points (7-6—13) in his last 11 outings, is tied for 11th in the AHL with 10 goals, and ranks second on the team with 18 points (10-8—18) in 16 games. On the all-time regular-season franchise leaderboard, Shine ranks third in games played (499), tied for fifth in goals (85), eighth in assists (117), sixth in points (202), sixth in penalty minutes (565), tied for fifth in shorthanded goals (6), tied for fifth in game-winners (13), tied for first in unassisted goals (10), and fourth in shots (835). 

Good Problem to Have
The Griffins’ roster features eight veterans, including forwards Sheldon Dries, John Leonard, Dominik Shine and Austin Watson, and defensemen Erik Gustafsson, Justin Holl, William Lagesson and Ian Mitchell. With eight veterans, the Griffins are two over the playing limit and are required to scratch two of them each game due to the AHL’s development rule. Even with two being scratched for each contest, the veterans on the team have combined for 101 points (44-57—101) in 122 games, which accounts for 50% of the scoring for the team and 56% of the goals. Leonard ranks first among the veterans with 26 points (17-9—26) in 17 games, while Shine (10-8—18 in 16 GP) ranks second, and Dries (6-9—15 in 16 GP) places third.  

AHL Leaderboard Tracker
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard—Tied for ninth among rookies in assists (9), tied for 13th among rookies in points (14), tied for second in game-winners (4), first among rookies in game-winners (4)
Sebastian Cossa—First in GAA (1.56), first in save percentage (.943), tied for third in shutouts (2), tied for first in wins (10)
Erik Gustafsson—Tied for 14th among defensemen in points (12), tied for seventh among defensemen in assists (12), tied for 13th in plus-minus (+11), tied for fifth among defensemen in plus-minus (+11)
Justin Holl—Tied for sixth in plus-minus (+13), third among defensemen in plus-minus (+13)
William Lagesson—Tied for fourth in plus-minus (+14), second among defensemen in plus-minus (+14)
John Leonard—First in goals (17), second in points (26), tied for ninth in plus-minus (+12), first in game-winners (6)
Dominik Shine—Tied for 11th in goals (10)
Eduards Tralmaks—Tied for fourth in goals (11), tied for 14th in power-play goals (4)
Antti Tuomisto—Tied for 14th among defensemen in points (12), tied for 10th among defensemen in plus-minus (+9)
Austin Watson—Tied for ninth in penalty minutes (55) 

Milestones
On Wednesday, Alex Kannok Leipert skated in his 200th game as a pro and in the AHL and John Leonard bagged his 100th AHL goal. 
William Lagesson—Five assists from 100 as a pro
John Leonard—Three assists from 100 in the AHL, three points from 200 in the AHL
Ian Mitchell—One point from 100 in the AHL
Dominik Shine—One game from 500 as a Griffin, one unassisted goal from claiming sole possession of the franchise record of 11
Austin Watson—Three goals from 100 in the AHL

Photo by Toronto Marlies