Griffins Game #40 * Road Game #21 * AHL Game #618

Season Series: 3-2-0-0 Home Series: 2-2-0-0 Road Series: 1-0-0-0
All-Time Series: 78-46-1-1-10 All-Time Home Series: 42-21-1-1-7 All-Time Road Series: 36-25-0-0-3

Griffins at Moose
Sixth of eight meetings overall, second of four at the Canada Life Centre…Since the Moose rejoined the AHL in 2015-16, Grand Rapids is 34-22-0-3 (.602) against them, including a 15-11-0-1 (.574) ledger at Manitoba...The Griffins are 13-13-0-3 (.500) overall against Manitoba since the 2020-21 season with a minus-11 scoring margin (81-70)...On the road since 2019-20, Grand Rapids is 6-6-0-1 (.500) against the Moose with a minus-five scoring margin (42-37)...Ten of the last 13 meetings have been decided by just one goal, including all five games this season...The Moose are 4-5-1-0 in their last 10 games and 3-13-0-1 at home this season compared to 8-9-1-0 on the road...Manitoba is on a three-game losing skid...The Griffins are 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 outings and 12-6-2-0 on the road...This is the 137th meeting between the two teams, which is the fifth-most encounters by any Grand Rapids opponent...Manitoba ranks last in goals scored per game at 2.20 and fourth-to-last in goals against per game (3.66)...The Griffins are tied for 18th with 2.97 goals per game and second with 2.51 goals against per outing...The Griffins rank second-to-last with 26.1 shots per game while the Moose place 28th at 27.1...Grand Rapids ranks 16th with 28.9 shots allowed and Manitoba sits at 17th with 29.1...Manitoba’s power play ranks last at 12.3% and its penalty kill places 22nd at 81.0%...Manitoba’s Mark Liwiski is tied for 14th among skaters and third among rookies with 68 penalty minutes. Parker Ford is tied for sixth in short-handed goals with two...Former Griffin Drew MacIntyre (2004-06) returns to Grand Rapids as Manitoba’s goaltending coach. MacIntyre was a member of the Griffins’ 2005-06 squad that won the AHL’s regular-season championship, and he remains as Grand Rapids’ career playoff leader in GAA (1.62) and save percentage (.940). 

Last Time Out
Despite entering the final period down 3-1, the Griffins scored four unanswered goals in the third, propelling them to a 5-4 comeback victory over the Manitoba Moose on Thursday at the Canada Life Centre. The two-goal deficit marked the largest the Griffins had overcome in a regulation win this season. Ondrej Becher (1-1—2) earned his first professional two-point game alongside Brogan Rafferty's second of the season (1-1—2). Tim Gettinger secured a goal, good for his third in the last three outings. Joe Snively and Sheldon Dries both scored their 15th goal of the year, while Dries increased his point streak to four (3-1—4). Dominik Shine (1-4—5) also raised his streak to four and Alex Doucet (1-3—4) improved to three. In his first appearance since Oct. 18, Carter Mazur returned from injury and tallied an assist. Goaltender Ville Husso manned the net for the Griffins, saving a season-high 39 shots in the win. 

This Date in Griffins History
2002: The Griffins score seven unanswered goals in a 7-1 romp at Norfolk, as Chris Bala joins Petr Schastlivy and Kevyn Adams as the only rookies in team history to net a hat trick.

The Ups and Downs
The Griffins returned from the holiday break with a 3-0-0-0 record in their first three games but then dropped three straight outings from Jan. 4-11, averaging just one goal per game during the skid. The offense exploded for four goals in the third period last Wednesday against Chicago and has now scored 18 times in its last four games (4.50 goals per game) with a 3-0-0-1 record. The defense has been solid once again, allowing just 2.10 goals since the break. The offense has averaged 3.20 goals per game since the break and at least four tallies in six of the last 10 outings. Grand Rapids remains in first place in the Central Division, second in the Western Conference, and tied for fifth in the AHL with a 23-12-3-1 record and 50 points through 39 games. The Griffins are 14-10-2-0 against their division rivals and have held at least a share of the top spot in the division since Nov. 8. 

Pucks On Net 
The 26 shots by the Griffins in the opening period last Friday against Cleveland were the most ever recorded in a period by either the Griffins or their opponent, spanning 2,359 combined regular season (2,170) and playoff (189) games. Grand Rapids finished the contest with a season-high 44 shots and have now averaged 30.6 shots per game in the month of January. The Griffins outshot their opponent just three times in the first 21 contests (14.3%) but have since outshot their opponent seven times in the last 18 games (38.9%). The Griffins average 26.1 shots per game, which ranks second-to-last in the AHL. Grand Rapids has been held to under 20 shots six times and has exceeded 30 shots nine times. On the flip side, the Griffins’ opponents average 28.9 shots per game (16th in AHL) and have been held to under 30 shots 20 times. The third period has given the Griffins the most problems, as they are being outshot 349-293 compared to being outshot 368-353 in the second and 385-353 in the first. However, Grand Rapids has a 15-7-2-0 ledger when recording 20-29 shots and an 11-5-2-0 mark when allowing 30-39 shots. 

Guess Who’s Back?
Carter Mazur was sidelined for 35 games from Oct. 19-Jan. 22 due to rehabbing an upper-body injury. Mazur made his long-awaited return on Thursday, collecting an assist, and now has three points (1-2—3) in the first four contests of his season. The 70th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2021 has totaled 46 points (21-25—46) in 70 pro games with the Griffins since 2022-23. Last season, Mazur paced the team’s rookies with 37 points (17-20—37) in 60 regular-season games before tying for second among all skaters on the team with eight points (3-5—8) in nine playoff outings. 

Shine Bright
Last Saturday, veteran Dominik Shine moved into a tie for 10th place on the team’s all-time goals scored list with his 72nd tally as a Griffin and is currently on a team-high four-game point streak (1-4—5). Shine ranks first on the roster in points (11-19—30), first in assists (19), tied for third in goals (11), and third in power-play goals (4) in 39 games. Shine collected his seventh multi-point game of the season last Saturday against Cleveland (1-1—2), which set a new career-high mark, beating out his six multi-point games in 2021-22. The 31-year-old now has 11 points (5-6—11) in his last 14 contests. Last year, Shine posted career-high numbers in assists (23), points (33) and plus-minus rating (+8) and is on pace to reach 55 points (20-35—55) this season. The Detroit native has spent his entire career with Grand Rapids since 2016-17 and has accumulated 168 points (72-96—168) and 513 penalty minutes in 461 appearances. In the Griffins’ all-time rankings, Shine places third in games played, sixth in penalty minutes, tied for 10th in goals scored (72), tied for 10th in overtime goals (2), and tied for first in unassisted goals (10). 

Get Your Goals
Tim Gettinger is on a three-game goal streak from Jan. 17-23 after being held without a goal for 14 games from Dec. 8-Jan. 15. After receiving lower-body surgery during the offseason, the Cleveland native made his season debut on Nov. 29 against Milwaukee. Gettinger has nine points (4-5—9), six penalty minutes and a minus-one rating in 21 appearances this campaign. Last year, the 26-year-old showed 25 points (12-13—25) in 55 regular-season games before suiting up for eight postseason contests with the Griffins. Gettinger has 167 points (78-89—167) in 313 AHL games and one assist in 16 NHL outings with the New York Rangers. 

Come Out Firing
When the Griffins start hot, things usually turn out pretty well for the team, as they have a 15-1-2-1 record when scoring the game’s first goal. They also have yet to suffer a regulation loss when leading after the first period (9-0-2-1) or when leading after the second period (14-0-2-0). When Grand Rapids is trailing after the opening frame, it is 3-8-1-0 and 4-9-0-0 when it trails after the second period. 

Austin Powers
Veteran Austin Watson enjoyed three-game point streak (2-1—3) from Jan. 15-18, his fourth of at least three games or longer this season, and has secured a point in 12 of the past 19 games (7-8—15) since Dec. 1. The all-star ranks second on the roster with 28 points (11-17—28) in 37 games, tied for third in goals (11), third in assists (17), tied for first in power-play goals (5), and first penalty minutes (71). The Ann Arbor, Michigan, native has spent the majority of his career in the NHL, showing 118 points (60-58—118) in 518 appearances. At the AHL level, Watson possesses 160 points (84-76—160) in 271 outings, as he had spent his entire AHL career with Milwaukee before this season. 

Young Sheldon 
After scoring 12 goals in 20 games from Oct. 27-Dec. 18, veteran Sheldon Dries was held without a goal for the next nine outings from Dec. 20-Jan. 15. Dries is now on a four-game point streak (3-1—4) and has scored a goal in three straight games for the third time this year. The Macomb, Michigan, native is tied for first on the roster with 15 goals in 36 games and tied for fourth with 22 points (15-7—22).  Dries is no stranger to West Michigan, as he spent four seasons at Western Michigan University from 2013-17 and totaled 84 points (44-40—84) in 148 con tests, serving as captain for three campaigns. The 30-year-old has competed in 432 pro games with 252 points (144-108—252) and 226 points (128-98—226) in 310 AHL appearances. 

Home Sweet Home
Grand Rapids concluded a season-high five-game homestand last weekend with a 2-2-0-1 record, which included points in the final three games (2-0-0-1). The Griffins are in a stretch that will see them play eight of 10 games inside Van Andel Arena from Jan. 10-Feb. 1 after playing nine of 12 games on the road from Dec. 7-Jan. 4. The Griffins are 11-6-1-1 at home this season but have won three of their last nine home outings (3-4-1-1). Under head coach Dan Watson, Grand Rapids is 34-13-5-3 (.690) inside Van Andel Arena. On the road, the Griffins are 12-6-2-0 this season with points in six of their last seven road contests (5-1-1-0). With Watson at the helm, Grand Rapids is 26-22-6-2 (.536) in foreign territory since 2023-24. 

Rollercoaster Ride
The Griffins ranked 29th in the AHL through the first 10 games with 2.20 goals per contest before showing 4.10 goals per game from Nov. 7-Dec. 1 and going 8-2-0-0 during the run. The Griffins then averaged just 2.33 goals per game from Dec. 6-22 and went 3-4-2-0 in those contests. Grand Rapids has now potted 32 goals across 10 games (3.20) since Dec. 28 with a 6-3-0-1 record, which includes 4.50 goals on average in its last four outings. The Griffins are tied for 18th on the circuit with 2.97 goals per contest, while placing second in goals against per game (2.51). When scoring at least three goals this season, Grand Rapids is 19-0-0-1 compared to 4-12-3-0 when scoring fewer than three goals. 

Lock It Down
The Griffins have allowed just 2.10 goals per game since returning from the holiday break and rank second overall with 2.51 goals allowed per game. Sebastian Cossa has shown a 2.31 GAA and .917 save percentage through 22 games, Jack Campbell has a 2.15 GAA and a .917 save percentage in five appearances, and Ville Husso possesses a 2.12 GAA and a .931 save percentage in nine contests. Dating back to last season, Grand Rapids has allowed just 50 goals in its last 22 regular-season games at Van Andel Arena (2.27 GA per game). Also dating back to last season, the Griffins have allowed 58 goals in their last 22 regular-season road games (2.64 GA per game). 

Power Surge 
The Griffins potted two power-play goals in consecutive games last week for the first time this season. The power play has converted eight of its last 30 opportunities (26.7%) in the previous 11 games. Grand Rapids had its best run when it scored a power-play goal in five straight games from Nov. 24-Dec. 6 (5-for-15, 33.3%). The power play ranks 10th on the circuit at 18.9% (25-for-132). If you break it down further, Grand Rapids’ home power play is 12-for-58 (20.7%, 13th) and its road power play is 13-for-74 (17.6%, T18th). The Griffins have given up six short-handed goals, which is tied for the fifth-most. The Griffins’ penalty kill has struggled as of late, allowing a power-play goal in five of their last seven games (20-for-26 on PK, 76.9%). Grand Rapids has also surrendered a power-play goal in 12 of its last 19 outings (55-for-69 on PK, 79.7%). However, the penalty-kill unit remains one of the best in the league, as it ranks eighth at 85.1%. Grand Rapids has also scored six short-handed tallies, which is tied for fifth in the AHL. When scoring on the power play, the Griffins are 13-4-2-1 and 6-9-1-1 when they allow a power-play goal. 

Holy Goalies 
Sebastian Cossa, the 15th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2021, has been the go-to netminder for the Griffins this season, as he has a 12-7-3 mark with a 2.31 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 22 games. Cossa ranks among the AHL leaders in minutes played (1,298:08, 12th), games played (22, T11th), GAA (T8th), wins (T6th), and save percentage (10th). The 22-year-old collected his first NHL victory during his debut on Dec. 9 at the Buffalo Sabres with a 6-5 shootout victory behind 12 saves and two stops in the shootout. Cossa became the first netminder in NHL history to win his debut via a shootout in a relief effort. Veteran Jack Campbell made his Griffins debut on Dec. 6 against the Chicago Wolves and later bagged his first win as a Griffin on Dec. 17 at Texas behind 20 saves in a 4-2 decision. Through six games with Grand Rapids, Campbell is 2-3-1 with a 2.15 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Campbell has 444 pro games under his belt with a 2.66 GAA and 231 wins since 2011-12, splitting time between the NHL (176 GP), AHL (241 GP) and ECHL (27 GP). In the AHL, Campbell has shown a 119-85-27 record with a 2.71 GAA and a .911 save percentage. Ville Husso was reassigned by the Red Wings last Saturday and has shown a 7-1-0 mark with two shutouts in nine games with the Griffins this year to go along with a 2.12 GAA and a .931 save percentage. Throughout his 10-game career with Grand Rapids since 2023-24, Husso has an 8-1-0 ledger with three shutouts, a 1.89 GAA and a .937 save percentage. 

AHL Leaderboard Tracker
Shai Buium—Tied for fifth among rookie defensemen in assists (14), tied for ninth among rookie defensemen in points (14), tied for fifth among rookie defensemen in plus-minus rating (+8), tied for eighth among rookie defensemen in power-play assists (4)
Sebastian Cossa—12th in minutes played (1,298:08), tied for 11th in games played (22), tied for eighth in GAA (2.31), tied for sixth in wins (12), 10th in save percentage (.917)
Nate Danielson—Third among rookies in assists (18), tied for first in short-handed assists (3), first among rookies in short-handed assists (3), tied for eighth among rookies in power-play assists (7)
Josiah Didier—Tied for fourth in short-handed assists (2), tied for second among defensemen in short-handed assists (2)
Alex Doucet—Tied for sixth in short-handed goals (2), tied for first among rookies in short-handed goals (2)
x William Lagesson—Tied for 13th among defensemen in plus-minus rating (+13)
Amadeus Lombardi—Tied for ninth in game-winners (4)
Austin Watson—First in major penalties (9), tied for 11th in penalty minutes (71)

Milestones
Last Friday, Dominik Shine moved into a tie for 10th place on the team’s all-time goals scored list with his 72nd tally (tied with Darrly Bootland).
Sheldon Dries—Two assists from 100 in the AHL
Dominik Shine—One unassisted goal from claiming the franchise record of 11 in a career, one goal from moving into a tie for ninth place in the franchise’s all-time goals scored list (Derek King, 73), four assists from 100 as a Griffin
Joe Snively—Two points from 200 in the AHL 

Photo by Manitoba Moose