Griffins Game #19 * Home Game #11 * AHL Game #316

Season Series: 0-0-0-0 Home Series: 0-0-0-0 Road Series: 0-0-0-0
All-Time Series: 78-41-9-14 All-Time Home Series: 45-18-4-4 All-Time Road Series: 33-23-5-10

Monsters at Griffins
First of eight meetings overall, first of four at Van Andel Arena…Grand Rapids has points in 26 out of the last 33 games overall (18-7-4-4, .667) against Cleveland...In the last five seasons since 2021-22, the Griffins are 15-9-4-4 (.594) against Cleveland and have outscored them 97-91. At home during that span, Grand Rapids has lost just once in regulation against the Monsters (10-1-3-2, .781) with a plus-20 scoring margin (60-40)...The Griffins are 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 games and the Monsters are 3-5-2-0 in their last 10...Grand Rapids is on a five-game win streak, while Cleveland is on a two-game losing skid...Cleveland is 5-1-1-0 on the road this season compared to 1-5-2-1 at home...Cleveland’s power play ranks 29th in the AHL at 12.3% and its penalty kill places 19th at 80.3%...Cleveland ranks 29th with 2.44 goals per game and 10th in goals against per game (2.88)...The Monsters rank second with 32.1 shots per game and second with 24.9 shots allowed...Cleveland’s Will MacKinnon hails from Plymouth, Michigan, and played his youth career with Victory Honda and Honeybaked in Detroit...The Monsters are led by Luca Del Bel Belluz (5-6—11) and Mikael Pyyhtia (3-8—11) who both tie for the team lead in points. In net, Cleveland is paced by Ivan Fedotov with a 4-5-2 record, a 2.75 GAA and a .893 save percentage...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 a 26-save shutout performance from Sebastian Cossa, the Griffins recorded a 1-0 victory over the Iowa Wild on Sunday at Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids’ 16-1-0-1 start stood as its best in franchise history with 33 points through 18 contests, while its .917 points percentage remained the best in the AHL. John Leonard notched his league-leading 15th goal of the season to extend his point streak to four games, and Erik Gustafsson tallied his ninth assist of the season. The win served as Cossa’s second shutout of the campaign, improving his record to 8-1 with a 1.56 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage. The 1-0 scoreline marked the eighth straight meeting against Iowa to be decided by one goal. 

This Date in Griffins History
2004: A 1-0 win over defending Calder Cup champion Milwaukee marks a franchise-best seventh straight road victory for the Griffins. Joey MacDonald’s 32 saves enable him to increase his team-record career shutout total to 13.

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 a 16-1-0-1 ledger and 33 points through 18 games. Two of the three best starts in franchise history have come under head coach Dan Watson, as last season’s 27 points through 18 games tied for the third best. 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’ 7-0-0-1 start on the road is the best in franchise history (previously 7-1 in 2004-05), and the 9-1 start at home is tied for the best in team history (2009-10). 

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 20 goals in its last four games (5.00 per game). The Griffins rank first in the AHL with 4.06 goals per game and have outscored their opponents 73-34. The Griffins have outscored their opponents 34-15 at home, while possessing a 39-19 advantage on the road. Grand Rapids has its largest scoring margin against its opponents in the third period (28-12). In addition to ranking first in goals, the Griffins place eighth in shots per game (30.1). John Leonard leads the team with 15 goals, and Dominik Shine and Eduards Tralmaks are tied for second with 10. 

Historic Run
John Leonard has 24 points and 15 goals through his first 15 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, tied for first in points, tied for seventh in plus-minus (+11), and first in points-per-game among players with at least 10 games (1.60). 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 195 points (98-97—195) in 264 games. 

Future is Bright
Sebastian Cossa, the 15th overall pick in 2021, is off to an 8-1-0 start this season with a 1.56 goals-against average and a .942 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 fifth 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 52-26-14 mark with five shutouts to go along with a 2.43 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 93 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 nine points (3-6—9) in his last eight appearances with Grand Rapids, which includes multi-point outings in three straight from Nov. 25-28. He has 11 points (4-7—11) in 13 AHL games this season, which is tied for 19th among first-year AHL players. 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 eight points (6-2—8) in his last eight games and is tied for second on the team with 10 goals. His 10 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 1.89 goals allowed per contest. Grand Rapids has allowed more than two goals just twice in its last 12 games and has averaged just 1.43 goals allowed in its last seven outings. In addition, the team’s penalty kill places second at 87.3% (48-for-55). Despite ranking first in goals allowed, the Griffins place 22nd with 29.2 shots allowed per game. In net, Sebastian Cossa sports a 1.56 GAA with a .942 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 5-for-18 (27.8%) in their last eight games. Grand Rapids’ power play ranks fifth in the AHL at 25.9% (14-for-54). However, the Griffins have allowed four shorthanded goals this season, which is tied for second in the AHL. The penalty kill has allowed just three power-play goals in the last 11 games (26-for-29, 89.7%) and ranks second overall in the AHL at 87.3% (48-for-55). The 55 times shorthanded are the third-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 12 points (7-5—12) in his last 10 outings, is tied for fourth in the AHL with 10 goals, and ranks second on the team with 17 points (10-7—17) in 15 games. On the all-time regular-season franchise leaderboard, Shine ranks third in games played (498), tied for fifth in goals (85), eighth in assists (116), tied for sixth in points (201), sixth in penalty minutes (561), 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 (834). 

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 92 points (40-52—92) in 108 games, which accounts for 49% of the scoring for the team and 56% of the goals. Leonard ranks first among the veterans with 24 points (15-9—24) in 15 games, while Shine (10-7—17 in 15 GP) ranks second, and Dries (5-9—14 in 15 GP) places third.  

AHL Leaderboard Tracker
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard—Tied for fifth in game-winners (3), tied for first among rookies in game-winners (3)
Sebastian Cossa—First in GAA (1.56), first in save percentage (.942), tied for third in shutouts (2), tied for fifth in wins (8)
Erik Gustafsson—Tied for 15th among defensemen in assists (9), tied for 14th among defensemen in plus-minus (+8)
Justin Holl—Tied for fourth in plus-minus (+12), second among defensemen in plus-minus (+12)
William Lagesson—Second in plus-minus (+14), first among defensemen in plus-minus (+14)
John Leonard—First in goals (15), tied for first in points (24), tied for seventh in plus-minus (+11), first in game-winners (5)
Dominik Shine—Tied for fourth in goals (10)
Eduards Tralmaks—Tied for fourth in goals (10), tied for 10th in power-play goals (4)
Antti Tuomisto—Tied for 15th among defensemen in assists (9), tied for 15th among defensemen in points (11), tied for sixth among defensemen in plus-minus (+9)
Austin Watson—Tied for ninth in penalty minutes (53) 

Milestones
Last Wednesday, Dominik Shine became just the seventh Griffin to reach 200 points with the team. 
Alex Kannok Leipert—One game from 200 as a pro and in the AHL
William Lagesson—Five assists from 100 as a pro
John Leonard—Two goals from 100 in the AHL, three assists from 100 in the AHL, five points from 200 in the AHL
Ian Mitchell—One point from 100 in the AHL
Dominik Shine—Two games from 500 as a Griffin, one unassisted goal from claiming sole possession of the franchise record of 11
Austin Watson—Four goals from 100 in the AHL

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins