Griffins Game #55 * Road Game #24 * AHL Game #857

Season Series: 3-1-0-0 Home Series: 3-1-0-0 Road Series: 0-0-0-0
All-Time Series: 81-42-9-14 All-Time Home Series: 48-19-4-4 All-Time Road Series: 33-23-5-10

Griffins at Monsters
Fifth of eight meetings overall, first of four at Rocket Arena…Grand Rapids has points in 29 out of the last 37 games overall (21-8-4-4, .676) against Cleveland...In the last five seasons since 2021-22, the Griffins are 20-8-4-4 (.667) against Cleveland and have outscored them 110-98. On the road during that span, Grand Rapids is 7-6-1-2 (.531) against the Monsters with a minus-14 scoring margin (51-37)...The Monsters are 6-4-0-0 in their last 10 games and the Griffins are 8-1-1-0 in their last 10 contests...Cleveland is 14-11-2-0 on the road this season compared to 15-7-4-1 at home...Grand Rapids is 23-6-2-0 at home compared to 19-2-1-1 on the road...Cleveland’s power play is tied for 20th in the AHL at 17.8% and its penalty kill places ninth at 82.2%...Cleveland ranks 19th with 2.96 goals per game and 11th with 3.00 goals against per game...The Monsters rank eighth with 29.7 shots per game and third with 25.5 shots allowed...The Monsters are led by Luca Del Bel Belluz with 44 points (16-28—44) in 42 games. In net, Ivan Fedotov leads the way with a 2.81 GAA and an .888 save percentage in 37 games (20-11-4). In the AHL rankings, Del Bel Belluz is tied for eighth in power-play goals (8) and Fedotov is tied for fourth in wins (20) and second in games played (37)...Head coach Dan Watson suited up for the Cleveland Barons from 2002-04 and calls Cleveland home during the offseason...Tyler Angle skated with the Monsters from 2020-24, logging 100 points (41-59—100) in 200 games. He also suited up for four games with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2022-24, collecting one goal.  

Last Time Out
In the Griffins’ 7-3 victory over the Rockford IceHogs at Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (1-2—3) recorded his second-consecutive three-point night and his ninth point in his last four outings. Carter Mazur made his return to the lineup after missing 48 games (Oct. 24) to injury and tallied the game-winner and an assist, while John Leonard bagged a goal in his first game since Jan. 30. The Griffins improved to 31-0 when tallying the first goal, and boosted their league-best record to 42-8-3-1 (88 pts.). Amadeus Lombardi extended his point streak to six with a goal, and Michal Postava notched 36 saves and upped his record to 11-4-0.

This Date in Griffins History
2002: Griffins experience their first-ever scoreless tie at Houston, giving them consecutive shutouts for the first time in their history and setting a new franchise mark with nine on the season. 

Be Like Mike
Rookie forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is on a four-game point streak (6-3—9) and posted back-to-back three-point nights in his last two games. He was named the AHL Player of the Week for the period ending March 1 when he tallied five goals, six points (5-1—6), 17 shots and a plus-three rating in three games. Brandsegg-Nygard was the fourth Griffin to win the award this season, tying for the most in franchise history (2005-06: Jiri Hudler, Valtteri Filppula, Clay Wilson, Jimmy Howard). He also has eight goals in his last seven contests and 13 points (8-5—13) in his previous 10 outings since Feb. 7. From Jan. 3-Feb. 6, the former first-round selection (15th in 2024) had just three points (0-3—3) in 14 contests, and, prior to Feb. 18, his last goal was on Jan. 2 (17-game drought). The Oslo, Norway, native, has 37 points (16-21—37), 28 penalty minutes and a plus-24 rating in 49 games with the Griffins. Brandsegg-Nygard ranks among the AHL rookie leaders in goals (6th), assists (6th), points (4th), plus-minus rating (T2nd) and game-winners (6, 1st). He was one of three rookies to make the Detroit Red Wings’ opening-night roster out of training camp and showed one assist in nine games before being assigned to the Griffins on Oct. 27.

Are We Talking About Playoffs?
With the Hershey Bears’ 4-1 win over the Rockford IceHogs last Friday, the Griffins clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Feb. 27 marked 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 have led the Central Division for the entire season and are 21 points above second-place Chicago. The Griffins also have a three-point advantage over the Providence Bruins in the race for the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, awarded to the AHL's regular-season champions. Grand Rapids is 33-5-3-1 against its division rivals and has outscored them 156-88, suffering its first regulation defeat against the division on Jan. 9 against Texas. The Griffins’ 33 wins are the most divisional victories since 2016-17 (40-20-1-3). Thirteen of the remaining 18 games for Grand Rapids will be against the Central Division (72.2%). The Griffins will see the most games against the Rockford IceHogs (4), Milwaukee Admirals (4) and Cleveland Monsters (4).

Sustained Excellence
The Griffins have lost just once in regulation in their last 10 games since Feb. 7 (8-1-1-0). In those 10 games, Grand Rapids has averaged 4.00 goals per game while allowing 2.10 goals. The Griffins have continued their league-record campaign with a 42-8-3-1 ledger and 88 points through 54 games, surpassing the 1992-93 Binghamton Rangers (38-6-6, 82 pts.) for the best start through 50 games in the AHL’s 90-year history. 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. The Griffins are 19-2-1-1 on the road and 23-6-2-0 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). Grand Rapids ranks first in the AHL in points (88) and has a 21-point cushion over Chicago for first place in the Central Division. 

They’re Back! 
Forwards Carter Mazur and John Leonard returned to the ice on Wednesday after rehabbing injuries that kept them sidelined for an extended period of time. Mazur was out for 48 straight games from Oct. 28-Feb. 28 and posted two points (1-1—2), including the game-winner, in his return on Wednesday. Mazur was the 70th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2021 and has shown 66 points (33-33—66) in 92 games with the Griffins since the spring of 2023. This season, Mazur has eight points (5-3—8) in six appearances. Leonard bagged a goal on Wednesday in his return after being sidelined for 12 straight contests from Jan. 31-Feb. 28. The veteran leads the team in points (27-14—41) and goals (27) in 33 games this season. In the AHL rankings, Leonard is tied for second in goals despite playing at least 20 games fewer than his competition in the rankings.   

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.)
- 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)

The Lombardi Trophy
Amadeus Lombardi is on a six-game point streak (6-5—11) and has four multi-point outings in his last six games. Last weekend in a two-game set against Iowa, he logged four points (2-2—4) and 10 shots. Lombardi also posted five points (3-2—5) in two games from Feb. 20-21, which included an overtime-winner in both contests. He became just the third player in Griffins history to score an overtime goal in consecutive games, joining Turner Elson and Filip Hronek. Lombardi’s three OT goals this campaign tie the Griffins’ single-season record, and his four-career OT-winners are tied for fourth in franchise history. He has 18 points (9-9—18) in his last 14 outings. The third-year pro was sidelined for 20 straight games from Nov. 22-Jan. 9 due to rehabbing an injury. Since his return on Jan. 13, Lombardi has 20 points (9-11—20) in 21 games. Last season, the Aurora, Ontario, native, logged a career-high 40 points (19-21—40) in 44 games with the Griffins. With Grand Rapids since the spring of 2023, Lombardi has 101 points (36-65—101) in 150 outings, becoming the 22nd fastest player in franchise history to reach the century mark (149 games). He was the 113th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. 

Untouchables
Below are statistical categories in which the Griffins are undefeated in regulation.
- 31-0 when scoring the game’s first goal
- 19-0 when leading after the first period
- 30-0 when leading after the second period 
- 9-0 in games decided by four or more goals
- 16-0 when allowing one goal or less
- 35-0-1-1 when scoring at least three goals
- 6-0-1-0 when scoring a shorthanded goal
- 1-0-1-1 when allowing a shorthanded goal
- 1-0 when recording 10-19 shots
- 3-0 when allowing 10-19 shots 

February Recap
The Griffins finished February with an 8-2-1-0 record and outscored their opponents 38-23. The team also clinched a playoff berth on Feb. 27, which marked 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. Grand Rapids was led by third-year pro Amadeus Lombardi (6-7—13 in 11 GP) followed by rookie Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (7-3—10 in 11 GP). In net, Sebastian Cossa logged a 6-0-1 record with one shutout, a 1.97 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage, while Michal Postava showed a 2-2-0 ledger with a 2.25 GAA and a .924 save percentage. 

What’s The Password? 
The Griffins’ defense remains the best in the AHL, as it ranks first with 1.98 goals allowed per contest. Grand Rapids posted its eighth shutout of the season on Feb. 15 against Texas, which are the most since 2016-17 (8). 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 16 times all season (29.6%) and have averaged 2.80 goals allowed in their last five outings. In addition, the team’s penalty kill is first in the AHL at 87.2%. In net, Sebastian Cossa sports a 1.99 GAA with a .927 save percentage and five shutouts, while rookie netminder Michal Postava possesses a 1.88 GAA, a .934 save percentage and two shutouts. The Griffins have four defensemen who have played at least 100 games in the NHL in Erik Gustafsson (517), Justin Holl (396), Ian Mitchell (110), and William Lagesson (107), totaling 1,130 appearances. 

Ups and Downs 
Grand Rapids has posted six or more goals in its last two outings after being held to under three goals in three of the previous four games from Feb. 20-27. Wednesday’s game was the first since Feb. 7 (8-game span) that the Griffins dressed 12 forwards. The Griffins rank first in the AHL with 3.54 goals per game. The team has outscored its opponents 191-107 and is 31-0 when scoring the game’s first goal. The Griffins have outscored their opponents 98-57 at home, while possessing a 93-50 advantage on the road. Grand Rapids has its largest scoring margin against its opponents in the third period (76-34). John Leonard leads the team and is tied for second in the AHL with 27 goals, while Dominik Shine ranks second on the roster with 21 and Sheldon Dries places third with 20. 

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 is currently on a seven-game point streak since Feb. 3 (6-0-1). His career-high five shutouts are the most by a Griffin since 2015-16 (Jared Coreau). Cossa has a 24-4-3 record with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .927 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 places second in GAA, third in save percentage, second in shutouts, second in wins and seventh in minutes played (1841:22). 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 68-29-17 mark with eight shutouts to go along with a 2.38 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 115 outings, becoming just the sixth netminder to reach the century mark with the team. 

Just Getting Started 
Rookie netminder Michal Postava tied a franchise record by becoming the 10th netminder in team history to post back-to-back shutouts from Jan. 17-21. He 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. His 10 saves on Jan. 17 set a new franchise record for fewest in a shutout. 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). After beginning the campaign 5-0, the 23-year-old suffered his first AHL defeat on Jan. 9 against Texas. Postava is now 11-4-0 with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage in 17 games. 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.    

AHL Leaderboard Tracker
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard—Tied for 11th in plus-minus (+24), tied for third in game-winners (6), sixth among rookies in goals (16), sixth among rookies in assists (21), fourth among rookies in points (37), tied for second among rookies in plus-minus (+24), tied for seventh among rookies in power-play goals (5), second among rookies in shots (119), first among rookies in game-winners (6)
x Sebastian Cossa—Second in GAA (1.99), third in save percentage (.927), second in shutouts (5), second in wins (24), tied for 10th in games played (31), seventh in minutes played (1841:22)
Sheldon Dries—Tied for 14th in power-play goals (7)
Erik Gustafsson—Tied for 10th among defensemen in plus-minus (+20), tied for 12th among defensemen in power-play goals (2)
Justin Holl—Tied for 13th among defensemen in plus-minus (+19)
Alex Kannok Leipert—Tied for sixth in shorthanded assists (2), tied for third among defensemen in shorthanded assists (2)
William Lagesson—Tied for second in plus-minus (+28), tied for first among defensemen in plus-minus (+28)
John Leonard—Tied for second in goals (27), tied for third in shorthanded goals (3), first in game-winners (8)
Amadeus Lombardi—Tied for fifth in game-winners (5)
Ian Mitchell—Tied for seventh in plus-minus (+26), fourth among defensemen in plus-minus (+26)
x Dominik Shine—Tied for ninth in plus-minus (+25)
Eduards Tralmaks—Tied for 11th in plus-minus (+24)
Antti Tuomisto—Tied for 13th among defensemen in plus-minus (+19)
Austin Watson—Seventh in penalty minutes (123) 

Milestones 
In a 7-3 win over the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday, Ian Mitchell collected his 100th assist as a pro. 
Justin Holl—Three games from 700 as a pro
Ian Mitchell—One game from 200 in the AHL
x Dominik Shine—Four goals from 100 as a Griffin, one unassisted goal from claiming sole possession of the franchise record of 11
Austin Watson—One assist from 150 as a pro 
Dan Watson—Two games from 200 as head coach of Griffins 

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins