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Game Notes: Griffins vs. Stars - April 29, 2025

Apr 29, 2025
Written By: Andrew Streitel

Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Texas Stars

Game Time: 7 p.m. at Van Andel Arena

Griffins Playoff Game #1 * Home Playoff Game #1 * AHL Game #M1

Regular-Season Series: 3-3-2-0 Regular-Season Home Series: 1-2-1-0 Regular-Season Road Series: 2-1-1-0

All-Time Regular-Season Series: 45-32-7-5 All-Time Regular-Season Home Series: 24-14-2-4 All-Time Regular-Season Road Series: 21-18-5-1

Playoff Series: 0-0 Playoff Home Series: 0-0 Playoff Road Series: 0-0
All-Time Playoff Series: 2-4 All-Time Playoff Home Series: 2-1 All-Time Playoff Road Series: 0-3

Setting the Stage
The Griffins clinched their 19th playoff berth in 29 seasons with a 37-29-4-2 record and 80 points, claiming the third spot in the Central Division, ninth in the Western Conference and 18th overall in the AHL. Grand Rapids will face the second-seeded Texas Stars (43-26-3-0, 89 pts.), who have reached the Central Division Semifinals for the third consecutive season. The Griffins finished the regular-season series against the Stars with a 3-3-2-0 record, including 1-2-1-0 at Van Andel Arena and 2-1-1-0 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. After beginning the season series with a four-game point streak (2-0-2-0), the Griffins went on to drop three of the final four meetings (1-3-0-0). The Griffins and Stars have met just once before in the Calder Cup Playoffs, as the eventual Calder Cup champion Texas defeated defending champion Grand Rapids 4-2 in the 2014 Western Conference Semifinals. The Griffins are 2-1 at home and 0-3 on the road against Texas in the postseason. Grand Rapids possesses a 103-86 ledger in the postseason and 21-16 series record, which includes games in the IHL’s Turner Cup Playoffs from 1996-01. In the AHL, the Griffins are 86-68 in the postseason, which includes two Calder Cups (2017, 2013). The Griffins have a 7-6 mark in a best-of-five series. This will be Texas’ 11th Calder Cup Playoff appearance in 16 seasons, as it has missed the postseason just three times in 2012, 2017, and 2019 (no playoffs in 2020 or 2021). The Stars are 59-47 in postseason games and have a 13-9 series record, having reached the Calder Cup Finals three times (2010, 2014 (won), 2018). Last season, Texas defeated Manitoba 2-0 in the first round before being bested 3-2 by Milwaukee in the Central Division Semifinals. 

The Promised Land 
On March 29, the Griffins clinched their 19th playoff berth in 29 seasons with a 4-2 Springfield Thunderbirds victory over the Iowa Wild. Grand Rapids returns to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season under head coach Dan Watson, after missing the previous two postseasons in 2022 and 2023. The Griffins held at least a share of first place in the Central Division from Nov. 8-Feb. 7 with a 25-15-3-1 mark (.628) through the opening 44 games before finishing the season with a 12-14-1-1 record over the final 28 outings to end up in third place in the division. 

Stumbled to the Finish Line
From Nov. 8-Feb. 7, the Griffins held at least a share of first place in the Central Division with a 25-15-3-1 mark (.628) in the first 44 games. The Griffins tied their best start in franchise history with 13 points (6-1-1-0) through the first eight games, previously done in 2000-01 (6-1-1). Grand Rapids also began 3-0-0-0 at home for the first time since 2009-10. However, the team finished the final 28 outings with a 12-14-1-1 record (.464) and ended in third place in the division. The Griffins faltered in the month of March, as they showed a 3-7-1-0 ledger and allowed 4.00 goals per game after allowing 2.43 goals per contest from Oct.-Jan. Grand Rapids ended April with a winning record and concluded the regular season with a 5-4-0-0 record (.556) in the final month. 

A Cut Above
There have been 10 different Calder Cup champions since 2011, with Grand Rapids (2017, 2013) and Hershey (2024, 2023) being the only teams to earn multiple championships during that time. The other winners were Chicago (2022), Charlotte (2019), Toronto (2018), Lake Erie (2016), Manchester (2015), Texas (2014), Norfolk (2012) and Binghamton (2011).

Prior History
The Griffins and Stars will renew a rivalry that dates back to the 2009-10 season when Texas joined the AHL. Since the 2009-10 campaign, the teams have met a combined 89 times in the regular season, with the Griffins possessing a 45-31-7-5 record (.573). Grand Rapids and Texas have met just once before in the Calder Cup Playoffs when the defending champion Griffins were defeated 4-2 in the 2014 Western Conference Semifinals to the eventual champion Texas Stars. Current Griffins goalie Jack Campbell appeared in four games for the Stars during their cup run and totaled a 2-1 record with a 2.54 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Current Red Wings netminder Petr Mrazek served as Grand Rapids’ goaltender in that series. Current assistant coach Brian Lashoff played exclusively with Detroit that season and did not face the Stars in 2014. Stars captain Curtis McKenzie is the lone player from 2014 still with the team, while current assistant coach Maxime Fortunus was a player at the time and general manager Scott White was in his fifth season leading the franchise. 

Hard to Kill 
During the Griffins’ franchise-record run of seven straight playoff appearances from 2013-2019, they won two Calder Cups (2013 and 2017), twice lost to the eventual champion (Texas 2014, Lake Erie 2016), and twice lost to the cup runner-up (Utica 2015, Chicago 2019). During their 14 previous AHL playoff runs, they won those pair of cups, lost to the eventual champion on four occasions, and also lost to the other finalist four times. Including their first five seasons as members of the International Hockey League, the Griffins have qualified for the postseason on 19 prior occasions, winning it all twice, losing six times to the eventual champ, and losing four times to the runner-up.

Bench Boss
Second-year head coach Dan Watson has made his second straight Calder Cup Playoffs. He is the sixth head coach in franchise history to reach the postseason in both of his first two full years as head coach, joining Bruce Cassidy (2000-02), Danton Cole (2002-04), Greg Ireland (2005-07) Jeff Blashill (2012-14), and Todd Nelson (2015-17). Last postseason, Watson led Grand Rapids to the Central Division Finals, where it lost a winner-take-all Game 5 on the road to the division champion Milwaukee Admirals. Watson was named the Central Division head coach at the 2025 All-Star Classic, becoming the first Griffins coach to achieve an all-star honor since Todd Nelson in 2017 and the fourth head coach in franchise history to coach in an all-star game, joining Nelson, Jeff Blashill (2014), and Bruce Cassidy (2002 AHL, 2001 IHL). Watson has never missed the playoffs during his eight seasons as a head coach. With the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, Watson went 51-34 (.600) over five postseasons, reaching the Kelly Cup Finals twice (2019 and 2022) and leading Toledo to four Western Conference Finals berths (2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023).  

From Friend to Foe
The Griffins and Stars share a couple connections on championship winning teams. In 2023, defenseman Brogan Rafferty reached the Calder Cup Finals with Coachella Valley alongside Texas’ Kole Lind. Jack Campbell won the Calder Cup with Texas in 2014 with current Stars Curtis McKenzie, assistant coach Maxime Fortunus and general manager Scott White. In addition, Stars goaltender Magnus Hellberg competed for the Griffins in 2022-23, showing a 2-2-0 mark with a 2.50 GAA and a .932 save percentage in four games. Texas equipment manager Charlie Kaser is the son of Griffins’ broadcaster Bob Kaser and served as Grand Rapids’ assistant equipment manager from 2018-23. Current Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill served as the Griffins’ GM for two seasons from 2011-13, winning the Calder Cup in 2013. Nill spent parts of 19 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings from 1994-2013, serving as the director of player development (1994-98) and assistant general manager (1998-13) before leaving for Dallas. 

Been There, Done That
Jack Campbell (2014 Texas), Josiah Didier (2019 Charlotte), assistant coach Brian Lashoff (2013 and 2017 Grand Rapids), and Joe Snively (2024 & 2023 Hershey) are the Griffins’ previous Calder Cup champions. Brogan Rafferty (2023 Coachella Valley) made a Calder Cup Finals appearance in 2023. Captain Curtis McKenzie, assistant coach Maxime Fortunus and general manager Scott White all won the Calder Cup with Texas in 2014. 

Scouting Texas
The Stars are led by Matej Blumel who showed 72 points (39-33--72) in 67 games, leading the team in points, goals, and power-play goals (11). Blumel, who garnered a spot on the AHL First All-Star Team, ranked among the AHL leaders in goals (1st), points (T2nd), power-play goals (T6th), and shots (274, 1st). On the defensive side of the ice, Kyle Capobianco led all of Texas’ blueliners with 50 points (7-43--50), 72 penalty minutes and a plus-25 rating in 64 games. He ranked among the AHL’s defensemen leaders in points (T5th), assists (3rd), plus-minus rating (6th), and power-play assists (16, T6th). Remi Poirier and former Griffin Magnus Hellberg split time in net for the Stars. Poirier compiled a 17-11-2 mark with three shutouts (T12th), a 2.50 GAA (13th) and a .908 save percentage (T18th) in 31 games. Hellberg logged a 24-14-1 ledger (wins T4th) with two shutouts, a 2.69 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 41 games (T8th). Justin Hryckowian was named the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie, as he led all first-year players with 60 points (22-38—60) in 67 games. Hryckowian’s 60 points were the sixth most in the AHL by an undrafted rookie since 2009-10. Texas had the second-best power play at 21.5%, tied for fifth in the AHL with 3.33 goals per game and ranked ninth with 30.36 shots per outing. 

The Champs are Here
The Griffins’ roster is composed of numerous coaches and players who have either reached a playoff final or won a title for their respective pro, college, junior or national team(s). Most recently, Joe Snively won the last two Calder Cups with Hershey (2024, 2023), Axel Sandin-Pellikka won the 2024 SHL title with Skelleftea, Shai Buium won the 2024 NCAA title with Denver, and Gabriel Seger took home the 2024 ECAC title with Cornell University.

NameTeam(s)Accomplishment(s)
Axel Sandin-PellikkaSkelleftea AIK, Team Sweden2024 SHL Champion, 2024 World Junior Championship Silver Medal, 2023 U18 World Junior Championship Silver Medal
Joe SnivelyHershey Bears2024 and 2023 Calder Cup Champion
Shai BuiumUniv. of Denver2024 and 2022 NCAA Title
Gabriel SegerCornell University2024 ECAC Title
Michael Brandsegg-NygardTeam Norway, Valerenga U202023 D1A World Junior Championship Gold Medal, 2022 Norway U20 Gold Medal
Steph Julien (AC)Team Canada2023 World Junior Championship Gold Medal
Brogan RaffertyCoachella Valley Firebirds2023 Calder Cup Finalist
Hunter JohannesAmerican International College2022 and 2021 AHA Champion
Dan Watson (HC)Toledo Walleye2022 and 2019 Kelly Cup Finalist
Sebastian CossaEdmonton Oil Kings, Team Canada2022 WHL Title, 2022 World Junior Championship Gold Medal
Antti TuomistoUniv. of Denver2022 NCAA Title
William WallinderRogle BK2022 Champions Hockey League Title
Carter Mazur (IR in DET)Univ. of Denver2022 NCAA Title
Elmer SoderblomFrolunda HC, Team Sweden2020 Champions Hockey League Title, 2019 World U18 Championship Gold Medal
Josiah DidierCharlotte Checkers, Univ. of Denver2019 Calder Cup Champion, 2014 NCHC Title
Alex DoucetMagog Cantonniers2019 QMAAA Champion
Brian Lashoff (AC)Grand Rapids Griffins2017 and 2013 Calder Cup Champion 
Jack CampbellTexas Stars, Team USA2014 Calder Cup Champion, 2010 World Junior Championship Gold Medal, 2009 U18 World Junior Championship Gold Medal
Sheldon DriesGreen Bay Gamblers2012 Clark Cup Champion
Austin WatsonLondon Knights, Windsor Spitfires, Team USA2012 and 2009 OHL Champion, 2009 Memorial Cup Champion, 2010 U18 World Junior Championship Gold Medal 

Regular Season Series Notes
Grand Rapids finished the regular season series against Texas with a 3-3-2-0 record, including 1-2-1-0 at Van Andel Arena and 2-1-1-0 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park...After beginning the season series with a four-game point streak (2-0-2-0), the Griffins went on to drop three of the final four meetings (1-3-0-0)...The Griffins were held to one goal or less in two of the eight games, being shut out on March 26…Six of the eight meetings were decided by two goals or more...Grand Rapids averaged 3.50 goals per game at Texas and just 2.00 goals against the Stars at home...The Stars’ power play, which ranked second in the AHL during the regular season (21.5%), went just 2-for-17 (11.8%) against the Griffins...Joe Snively led Grand Rapids against Texas with seven points (2-5—7) and five assists in eight games, while Matej Blumel paced the Stars against the Griffins with 11 points (6-5—11) and six goals in eight appearances...Blumel and Arttu Hyry tied for the team lead against Grand Rapids with five assists...Sheldon Dries led the Griffins with three goals in six games against Rockford...Leading each team in net were Jack Campbell, who went 2-1-0 with a 2.68 GAA and a .905 SV% in three games, and Texas’ Magnus Hellberg, who showed a 4-2-0 mark with one shutout, a 2.15 GAA and a .916 SV% in six contests...Campbell secured his first win as a Griffin against Texas on Dec. 17 (20 saves) and made a season-high 35 saves on April 11 versus the Stars...Antti Tuomisto registered his 50th pro assist on Feb. 25 at Texas...Emmitt Finnie made his season debut on March 26 against Texas...Dries skated in his 300th pro game on Dec. 22 versus the Stars...Snively appeared in his 300th pro game on Feb. 26 at Texas and registered two-point nights against the Stars on Dec. 17 (0-2—2) and Feb. 25 (1-1—2)...William Wallinder recorded two assists on April 11 against Texas...Tim Gettinger suited up for his 300th AHL game on Dec. 17 at Texas and his 100th game as a Griffin on March 26 versus the Stars...Ondrej Becher secured his first two-assist night in the AHL on Feb. 25 at Texas...Captain Josiah Didier skated in his 500th pro game on Feb. 25 at Texas...Amadeus Lombardi bagged two points (1-1—2) on Feb. 25 at the Stars...Austin Watson logged two points (1-1—2) on Dec. 17 at Texas.

Tale of the Tape
Here’s how the two rivals stacked up in key categories during the regular season:

Grand Rapids, Texas

Overall Record: 37-29-4-2, 80 pts. (3rd Central, 18th AHL), 43-26-3-0, 89 pts. (2nd Central, 10th AHL)
Home Record: 27-15-2-2, 38 pts. (18th), 19-14-3-0, 41 pts. (10th)      
Road Record: 20-14-2-0, 42 pts. (18th), 24-12-0-0, 48 pts. (10th)
Power Play: 44-for-254, 17.3% (T24th), 50-for-233, 21.5% (2nd)
Penalty Killing: 197-for-238, 82.8% (14th), 203-for-246, 82.5% (15th)
Penalty Minutes: 10.71 avg. (31st), 11.78 avg. (22nd)
Goals For: 2.81 avg. (T26th), 3.33 avg. (T5th)
Goals Against: 2.82 avg. (9th), 2.92 avg. (13th)
Shots For: 27.43 avg. (26th), 30.36 avg. (9th)
Shots Against: 28.56 avg. (T15th), 27.99 avg. (11th)

Team Leaders

Games Played: Joe Snively (72), Kole Lind, Michael Karow (71)
Goals: Sheldon Dries (25), Matej Blumel (39) (led AHL)
Assists: Dominik Shine (32), Kyle Capobianco (43)
Points: Snively (47), Blumel (72)
Plus/Minus: William Lagesson (+13), Capobianco (+25)
Penalty Minutes: Austin Watson (112), Lind (93)
Power Play Goals: Snively & Watson (7), Blumel (11)
Shorthanded Goals: Watson (3), Blumel, Arttu Hyry & Emilio Pettersen (2)
Game-Winning Goals: Dries (7), Hyry (7)
Wins: Sebastian Cossa (21), Magnus Hellberg (24)
Shutouts: Cossa (1), Remi Poirier (3)
Goals Against Avg.: Cossa (2.45), Poirier (2.50)
Save Percentage: Cossa (.911), Poirier (.908)

2024-25 Griffins vs. Stars Head-to-Head

Grand Rapids, Texas

Overall Record: 3-3-2-0, 5-3-0-0
Home Record: 1-2-1-0, 2-2-0-0
Road Record: 2-1-1-0, 3-1-0-0
Power Play: 3-for-22 (13.6%), 2-for-17 (11.8%)
Penalty Kill: 15-for-17 (88.2%), 19-for-22 (86.4%)
Goals For: 22 (2.75 avg.), 27 (3.38 avg.)
Shots For: 195 (24.4 avg.), 238 (29.8 avg.)

Lord Stanley
The Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun with 12 of the 16 teams having a Griffins alum among their player or hockey operations ranks.

TeamAlumni
Colorado AvalancheHead coach Jared Bednar
Dallas StarsBrendan Smith, GM Jim Nill
Edmonton OilersMattias Janmark, Calvin Pickard, Pro Scout Chris Cichocki, Goaltending Scout Jeff Salajko
Florida PanthersTomas Nosek, Assistant GM Brett Peterson
Minnesota WildGustav Nyquist, Pro Scout Mark Mowers
New Jersey DevilsDennis Cholowski, Tomas Tatar
Ottawa SenatorsNick Jensen
Tampa Bay LightningLuke Glendening, Asst. GM/Dir. of Player Development Stacy Roest, Assistant Coach Jeff Blashill
Toronto Maple LeafsCalle Jarnkrok
Vegas Golden KnightsHead coach Bruce Cassidy
Washington CapitalsDylan McIlrath
Winnipeg JetsAsst. Athletic Therapist Brad Shaw

2024-25 Game-by-Game Recaps

Dec. 17 – Stars 2, Griffins 4  – H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
The Griffins knocked of the Texas Stars 4-2 behind two points from Austin Watson (1-1—2) and Joe Snively (0-2—2). Grand Rapids improved to 14-0-0-0 when scoring at least three goals and Jack Campbell earned his first win as a Griffin, saving 20 shots against his former team. 
First Period: 1, Texas, Hyry 9 (Capobianco, Krys), 11:07. 2, Grand Rapids, Seger 4 (Didier, Rychlovský), 13:08. Penalties-Lind Tex (holding the stick), 16:32. 
Second Period: 3, Grand Rapids, Wallinder 1 (Snively, Watson), 4:41. 4, Texas, Hryckowian 9 (Pettersen, Petrovic), 19:40. Penalties-Capobianco Tex (tripping), 0:58; Stranges Tex (hooking), 8:49; Watson Gr (tripping), 13:40; Viro Gr (roughing), 19:05; Hughes Tex (roughing), 19:05. 
Third Period: 5, Grand Rapids, Dries 11 (Buium, Shine), 1:51. 6, Grand Rapids, Watson 8 (Snively, Tuomisto), 18:18 (EN). Penalties-Shine Gr (closing hand on puck), 8:53. 
Shots: GR 20 (12-4-4), TEX 22 (8-9-5)
Goalies: GR Campbell (W, 20-22), TEX Hellberg (W, 16-19) 
PP: GR 0-3, TEX 0-2 

Dec. 18 – Stars 3, Griffins 2 OT – H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
The Griffins concluded their season-high six-game road trip with an overtime defeat to the Texas Stars, 3-2. Grand Rapids finished the trip 3-2-1-0, securing seven of the possible 12 points. Sheldon Dries scored a goal for the fifth time in the last six games and Austin Watson extended his point streak to three (3-1—4). 
First Period: 1, Texas, Stranges 11 (White), 10:37. Penalties-Bantle Gr (delay of game), 3:48; McKenzie Tex (holding), 7:48. 
Second Period: 2, Texas, Blümel 11 (Hyry, Krys), 9:51. 3, Grand Rapids, Dries 12 (Lagesson, Gettinger), 11:12. 4, Grand Rapids, Watson 9 (Hanas, Tuomisto), 13:24 (PP). Penalties-Gettinger Gr (roughing), 8:56; Karow Tex (roughing), 8:56; Blümel Tex (slashing), 12:21; Lagesson Gr (tripping), 18:21. 
Third Period: No Scoring.Penalties-McKenzie Tex (high-sticking), 3:29. 
OT: 5, Texas, Hughes 9 (Capobianco), 2:56. Penalties-No Penalties 
Shots: GR 31 (6-16-8-1), TEX 26 (7-6-10-3)
Goalies: GR Cossa (OTL, 13-26), TEX Hellberg (OTW, 29-31)
PP: GR 1-3, TEX 0-2

Dec. 22 – Griffins 2, Stars 3 OT – Van Andel Arena
The Griffins continue their three-game point streak against Texas (1-0-2-0) but fall 3-2 in overtime at Van Andel Arena, as the team fell to 1-3 in overtime games this season. Dominik Shine and Elmer Soderblom potted the goal for Grand Rapids.  
First Period: 1, Grand Rapids, Shine 7   3:27. 2, Grand Rapids, Söderblom 2 (Buium, Rafferty), 8:28. Penalties-Doucet Gr (hooking), 14:30. 
Second Period: 3, Texas, Hryckowian 11 (Stranges, Lind), 16:26. Penalties-Looft Tex (interference), 11:33; Dello Gr (holding), 17:07; Petrovic Tex (delay of game), 19:50. 
Third Period:  4, Texas, Hryckowian 12 (Blümel, Krys), 18:36. Penalties-Shine Gr (double minor - high-sticking), 18:42. 
OT: 5, Texas, Hyry 10 (Lind, Kyrou), 1:28 (PP). Penalties-No Penalties 
Shots: GR 29 (11-7-11-0), TEX 30 (11-9-6-4)
Goalies: GR Cossa (OTL, 27-30), TEX Hellberg (OTW, 27-29)
PP: GR 0-2, TEX 1-4

Feb. 25 – Stars 4, Griffins 6 – H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
|The Griffins tied their season-high scoring output, as they defeated the Texas Stars 6-4 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park and claimed sole possession of second place in the Central Division. Three different Griffins secured two-point games, including Amadeus Lombardi (1-1—2), Joe Snively (1-1—2) and Ondrej Becher (0-2—2). Both Nate Danielson and Cross Hanas collected their seventh goals of the season. Grand Rapids improved to 23-1-0-1 when scoring at least three goals.  
First Period: 1, Grand Rapids, Lombardi 11   7:31. 2, Grand Rapids, Danielson 7 (Tuomisto, Becher), 16:55. Penalties-Wallinder Gr (tripping), 3:22; Shine Gr (tripping), 4:36; Lind Tex (holding), 14:52; Karow Tex (double minor - high-sticking), 19:33. 
Second Period: 3, Texas, Hyry 20 (Lind, Blümel), 11:49. 4, Texas, Blümel 24 (Hryckowian), 14:08. 5, Grand Rapids, Hanas 7   18:44. Penalties-Capobianco Tex (tripping), 6:44; Johannes Gr (hooking), 15:50. 
Third Period: 6, Texas, Blümel 25 (McKenzie), 1:01. 7, Grand Rapids, Snively 19 (Lombardi, Buium), 6:31 (PP). 8, Grand Rapids, Rafferty 5 (Becher, Rychlovský), 8:57. 9, Texas, McDonald 6 (Lind, Hyry), 12:22. 10, Grand Rapids, Mazur 5 (Snively), 19:49 (EN). Penalties-Viro Gr (interference), 1:50; Lind Tex (diving/embellishment), 1:50; Petrovic Tex (tripping), 6:06; Doucet Gr (interference), 10:11. 
Shots: GR 21 (9-7-5), TEX 27 (6-7-14)
Goalies: GR Cossa (W, 23-27), TEX Poirier (L, 15-20)
PP: GR 1-5, TEX 0-4

Feb. 26 – Stars 5, Griffins 2 – H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
Despite taking an early lead, the Griffins surrendered four unanswered goals and fell 5-2 to the Texas Stars at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Carter Mazur collected a short-handed tally, extending his point streak to four (2-2—4), and Amadeus Lombardi found the back of the net, increasing his point streak to four (2-2—4). 
First Period: 1, Grand Rapids, Lombardi 12 (Snively, Buium), 3:50. 2, Texas, Blümel 26 (Hryckowian, McKenzie), 13:29. 3, Grand Rapids, Mazur 6 (Danielson), 18:07 (SH). Penalties-Snively Gr (slashing), 17:27. 
Second Period: 4, Texas, Looft 1 (Ertel, Romano), 6:38. Penalties-No Penalties 
Third Period: 5, Texas, Hyry 21 (Blümel), 5:49 (SH). 6, Texas, Hyry 22   15:33. 7, Texas, McKenzie 12 (Hryckowian), 18:37 (EN). Penalties-Capobianco Tex (elbowing), 5:25. 
Shots: GR 29 (11-7-11), TEX 26 (8-8-10)
Goalies: GR Campbell (L, 21-25), TEX Hellberg (W, 27-29)
PP: GR 0-1, TEX 0-1 

March 26 – Griffins 0, Stars 4 – Van Andel Arena
The Griffins suffered a shutout loss at the hands of former Griffin Magnus Hellberg, as the Texas Stars skated away with a 4-0 victory at Van Andel Arena. Emmitt Finnie made his season debut while Tim Gettinger skated in his 100th game as a Griffin. Grand Rapids committed zero penalties for the second time this season. 
First Period: 1, Texas, Blümel 36 (Hyry, Capobianco), 12:42. Penalties-No Penalties 
Second Period: 2, Texas, White 2 (Wheatcroft, Hyry), 7:21. 3, Texas, Seminoff 2 (Becker), 7:44. Penalties-Capobianco Tex (tripping), 11:40; Capobianco Tex (delay of game), 15:29. 
Third Period: 4, Texas, Chisholm 1 (Hughes, White), 1:33. Penalties-No Penalties 
Shots: GR 24 (5-10-9), TEX 32 (13-10-9)
Goalies:  GR Bednar (L, 28-32), TEX Hellberg (W, SO, 24-24)
PP: GR 0-2, TEX 0-0

April 11 – Griffins 5, Stars 2 – Van Andel Arena
The Griffins scored three goals in the final five minutes to defeat the Texas Stars 5-2 at Van Andel Arena. Six different Griffins recorded multi-point outings, including Sheldon Dries (1-1—2), Anton Johansson (0-2—2), Amadeus Lombardi (0-2—2), Dominik Shine (1-1—2), Joe Snively (1-1—2) and William Wallinder (0-2—2). Shine’s goal moved him into a tie for seventh place on the franchise’s all-time goals-scored list with Landon Ferraro and Kip Miller (75). Jack Campbell made a season-high 35 saves. 
First Period: 1, Grand Rapids, Seger 9 (Johansson, Wallinder), 2:39. Penalties-Shine Gr (hooking), 12:28; Lind Tex (tripping), 19:36. 
Second Period: 2, Grand Rapids, Shine 14 (Dries, Lombardi), 2:47 (PP). 3, Texas, Hughes 22 (Capobianco, Blümel), 10:43 (PP). Penalties-Capobianco Tex (cross-checking), 2:34; Shine Gr (interference), 10:16; Martino Tex (holding the stick), 12:11. 
Third Period: 4, Texas, Becker 11 (Taylor, Seminoff), 1:22. 5, Grand Rapids, Snively 21 (Johansson, Wallinder), 15:37. 6, Grand Rapids, Dries 23 (Lombardi, Shine), 16:59. 7, Grand Rapids, Danielson 12 (Gettinger, Snively), 17:47 (EN). Penalties-Hughes Tex (roughing), 11:20; Shine Gr (roughing), 11:20. 
Shots: GR 23 (7-9-7), TEX 37 (15-11-11)
Goalies: GR Campbell (W, 35-37), TEX Hellberg (L, 18-22)
PP: GR 1-3, TEX 1-2

April 12 – Griffins 1, Stars 4 – Van Andel Arena
In their final regular season game inside Van Andel Arena, the Griffins fell 4-1 against the Texas Stars behind a hat trick from Kole Lind. Gabriel Seger scored the lone goal for Grand Rapids, tallying his 10th of the year with assists from Emmitt Finnie and Tim Gettinger. The helper by Gettinger extended his point streak to a season-high six games (3-3—6), which also tied his career best.
First Period: 1, Texas, Lind 20 (Karow, Pettersen), 6:17. Penalties-Knyzhov Gr (hooking), 2:33; Wheatcroft Tex (interference), 7:23; Krys Tex (cross-checking), 13:02; Bantle Gr (high-sticking), 13:02.
Second Period: 2, Grand Rapids, Seger 10 (Finnie, Gettinger), 15:29. Penalties-Gettinger Gr (tripping), 0:16; Pettersen Tex (roughing), 12:22; Tuomisto Gr (roughing), 12:22. 
Third Period: 3, Texas, Lind 21 (Pettersen, Karow), 6:35. 4, Texas, Lind 22 (Blümel, Hyry), 17:56 (EN). 5, Texas, Blümel 39 (Karow), 19:16 (EN). Penalties-Capobianco Tex (cross-checking), 0:32; Karow Tex (high-sticking), 3:02. 
Shots: GR 18 (9-5-4), TEX 38 (11-13-14)
Goalies: GR Cossa (L, 34-36), TEX Poirier (W, 17-18)
PP: GR 0-3, TEX 0-2

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins