Griffins Game #67 * Road Game #32 * AHL Game #1,061

Season Series: 3-3-0-0 Home Series: 2-1-0-0 Road Series: 1-2-0-0
All-Time Series: 61-41-9-11 All-Time Home Series: 38-13-5-5 All-Time Road Series: 23-28-4-6

Griffins at IceHogs
Seventh of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at the BMO Center…Dating back to the final meeting of the 2019-20 season, Grand Rapids now has points in 17 of the last 23 games (14-6-2-1, 0.674) against the IceHogs...The Griffins are 23-16-6-6 (0.569) since the 2017-18 season against Rockford and have outscored the IceHogs 144-138. On the road since 2017-18, Grand Rapids is 10-12-2-3 (0.463) against the IceHogs, having benn outscored 80-68...The Griffins have won seven of the last 11 trips to Rockford (7-4-0-0, 0.636)...Rockford comes into the contest with a 16-12-1-3 home record this season and has lost its last three games overall...Grand Rapids is 15-15-0-1 on road ice...The IceHogs are 4-5-1-0 in their last 10 and the Griffins are 4-4-0-2 in their last 10...Rockford is Grand Rapids’ fourth-most frequent opponent (Milwaukee 212, Chicago 193, Cleveland 125), as tonight’s game marks the 123rd meeting between the two franchises...Griffins head coach Ben Simon served as an assistant in Rockford for two seasons (2011-13)...Rockford’s goaltender Arvid Soderblom is the brother of Griffins’ forward Elmer Soderblom.

Last Time Out
The Milwaukee Admirals won their sixth-consecutive game in a 6-3 contest over the Griffins on Friday at Van Andel Arena. Danny O'Regan's goal in the third was his 300th point in the AHL and was assisted by Carter Mazur, his first point as a pro. Dylan St. Cyr (seven saves) made his pro debut after subbing in for fellow Spartan John Lethemon in the second frame. St. Cyr is the son of Manon Rheaume, who competed in two ECHL seasons, two IHL campaigns from 1992-95 and was the first woman to appear in a NHL preseason game with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992. The Griffins sold out Van Andel Arena for the fifth time this season and the fourth time since Jan. 21.

Roster Shake Up
- March 25—D Simon Edvinsson, F Matt Luff and F Austin Czarnik reassigned by Detroit
- March 27—D Simon Edvinsson, F Matt Luff and F Austin Czarnik recalled by Detroit
- March 28—F Taro Hirose recalled by Detroit; F Carter Mazur signed to ATO by Grand Rapids; G Dylan St. Cyr released from ATO by Grand Rapids
- March 29—G Ryan Bednard signed to PTO by Grand Rapids; F Taro Hirose reassigned by Detroit
- March 30—D William Wallinder signed to ATO by Grand Rapids
- March 31—G Dylan St. Cyr signed to ATO by Grand Rapids; G Dylan St. Cyr released from ATO; D Charlie Curti released from PTO

This Date in Griffins History
2003: A perfect 34-save performance by Joey MacDonald results in a 2-0 win at Utah, the Griffins’ franchise-record fourth road shutout of the season. The Griffins earn the Western Conference regular season title, set an AHL record with their 26th road win, tie a league standard with their 57th road point, and equal a franchise mark with their ninth shutout overall.

Griffin Tenders
On Friday, Dylan St. Cyr became the seventh goaltender to man the Griffins’ pipes this season, breaking the franchise record for most goalies used that was set in 2005-06. That season, Jimmy Howard made his pro debut and was a stalwart for Grand Rapids, appearing in 38 games for the AHL’s regular season champions and earning a spot on the league’s All-Rookie Team. Joey MacDonald (32), Drew MacIntyre (13) and Logan Koopmans (1) saw action along with Chris Osgood (3) and Manny Legace (1), who both came to the Griffins on conditioning stints from Detroit.

Win Some, Lose Some
After enduring a season-high four-game winless streak from March 1-7, the Griffins battled back and enjoyed a four-game point streak (3-0-0-1) from March 10-16. However, Grand Rapids has won just two out of its last seven contests but still has points in eight of its last 13 games (5-5-1-2). The Griffins rank seventh in the Central Division and are seven points out of a playoff spot with six games remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 20 of its last 33 contests (14-13-3-3, 0.515). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation just 14 times through 37 games (16-14-3-4, 0.527).

Just the Beginning
On Wednesday, Carter Mazur made his pro debut with the Griffins and recorded three shots and a minus-one rating. Mazur was the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit. Mazur spent two seasons at the University of Denver and compiled 75 points (36-39—75) in 81 games, winning a national title in 2022. He became the eighth Denver Pioneer to play for the Griffins, with five of them winning an NCAA championship, spanning each of the school’s last four titles. In his second game, Mazur recorded his first pro point with an assist against Milwaukee on Friday.

Few and Far Between
Dominik Shine on Wednesday became just the seventh player in franchise history to reach 350 games played. This is rare air occupied by four of our Calder Cup champs, all three of our two-time winners, and two of the three Griffins who’ve had their numbers retired. Throughout the 351 games as a Griffin, Shine has accumulated 104 points (51-53—104) and 404 penalty minutes. Below is a list of the seven players who have played at least 350 games for Grand Rapids.

Rewrite the Record Book
Taro Hirose has been known for his passing abilities throughout four seasons with the Griffins. The former Michigan State Spartan has continued to climb the Griffins’ all-time assist leaderboard, and with 122 assists he now is tied for sixth in franchise history with Nathan Paetsch. He is eight helpers away from tying Derek King for fifth in franchise history. Hirose is as consistent as they come, as he has had at least 22 assists in each AHL campaign in his career. The Calgary, Alberta, native has totaled a team-leading 39 helpers in 66 games this year. In addition, his 20 power-play assists this season are tied for seventh in the AHL. Hirose also leads the roster with 54 points (15-39—54) in 66 appearances.

Danny Boy
Danny O’Regan is starting to find a rhythm with the Griffins after joining the team on Dec. 19. After exploding for three points (2-1—3) in his Griffins debut, O’Regan had just three points in his next 12 games from Dec. 28-Feb. 15. However, the German-born forward enjoyed a five-game point streak (2-5—7) from Feb. 24-March 4 and now has 11 points (5-6—11) in his last 11 outings. O’Regan also has 21 points in his last 20 games (9-12—21).

Jumping for Joel
In his first year as a Griffin, Joel L’Esperance leads the team in goals with 24 and ranks second on the roster with 46 points. L’Esperance has lit the lamp in three of the past five games and needs six more tallies to tie his career high set during the 2018-19 season with Texas (30 goals). The Brighton, Mich., native is also just three points from tying his career-high mark from the 2021-22 campaign (49 points). Throughout 249 AHL contests, L’Esperance has amassed 182 points (104-78—182) and 134 penalty minutes.

Just Keep it Close
The Griffins have had their ups and downs this season, but they have excelled at winning close games. In fact, Grand Rapids is 15-2-4-4 (0.760) in games decided by one goal and 6-0-4-0 in overtime contests. In comparison, the Griffins are just 12-29-0-0 (0.293) in games decided by two or more tallies. In the 2021-22 season, the Griffins finished with a 13-7-6-2 (0.607) mark in games decided by one goal.

AHL Leaderboard Tracker
Austin Czarnik—Five game-winning goals are tied for eighth, three short-handed goals are tied for third
Simon Edvinsson—22 assists rank sixth among rookie defensemen, 27 points rank seventh among rookie defensemen
Taro Hirose—20 power-play assists are tied for seventh, 39 assists are tied for 12th
Joel L’Esperance—13 power-play goals rank third, 226 shots rank fourth

Milestones
Danny O’Regan secured his 300th AHL point with a goal on March 31 against Milwaukee. Dominik Shine scored a goal in his 350th game as a Griffin on March 29 against Chicago. O’Regan notched his 300th pro point with a goal on March 16 at Cleveland, while Shine scored his 50th pro goal with the game-winner, which was also his 100th pro point.
Brian Lashoff—One assist from 100 as a Griffin and in the AHL
John Lethemon—One win from 50 as a pro
Joel L’Esperance—One game from 250 in the AHL
Chase Pearson—One assist from 50 as a pro, in the AHL and as a Griffin
Ben Simon—Four wins from setting the franchise record for most wins as a head coach (147)
Tyler Spezia—Two goals from 50 as a pro

Photo by Mark Newman/Griffins