Griffins Game #68 * Road Game #33 * AHL Game #1,075

Season Series: 2-4-0-0 Home Series: 1-3-0-0 Road Series: 1-1-0-0
All-Time Series: 69-41-1-1-9 All-Time Home Series: 38-18-1-1-6 All-Time Road Series: 31-23-0-0-3

Griffins at Moose
Seventh of eight meetings overall, third of four at the Canada Life Centre…Since the Moose rejoined the AHL in 2015-16, Grand Rapids is 25-17-0-2 (0.591) against them, including a 10-9-0-1 (0.525) ledger in Manitoba…Grand Rapids has just one win in the last eight trips to Manitoba (1-6-0-1), dating back to the 2019-20 season...This is the 122nd meeting between the two teams, which is the fourth-most encounters by any Grand Rapids opponent...This will be the seventh contest of Manitoba’s eight-game homestand…Manitoba is 3-5-1-1 in its last 10 games while the Griffins are 4-5-0-1...Both the Griffins and the Moose are on a four-game losing skid...On home ice this season, the Moose are 18-12-1-3 and the Griffins bolster a 15-16-0-1 ledger on the road...The Moose rank fifth in the AHL with a power play percentage of 22.5% but their home power play is tied for 13th at 20.0%...Manitoba’s penalty kill is also one of the best on the circuit, as it ranks for 12th at 82.3%...Moose rookie goaltender Arvid Holm ranks fifth among first-year netminders with a 2.65 goals against average and third with a 0.912 save percentage.

Last Time Out
The Griffins were shut down by Arvid Soderblom (W, 36 saves) in a 5-1 defeat to the IceHogs at the BMO Center. With an assist on Danny O’Regan’s goal, Taro Hirose now ranks sixth all time in assists (123) for Grand Rapids, passing Nathan Paetsch. Hirose has a career-high 40 helpers on the season and is currently in a tie for 11th in the AHL in that category. William Wallinder and Ryan Bednard each made their debut in a Grand Rapids uniform. Bednard subbed in for John Lethemon in the second, becoming the franchise-record eighth goalie to man the pipes for the Griffins this season.

Roster Shake Up
- 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
- April 4—G Alex Nedeljkovic reassigned by Detroit
- April 5—G Alex Nedeljkovic recalled by Detroit

This Date in Griffins History
2002: With a 3-2 victory at Chicago, the Griffins win the AHL's inaugural Bud Poile Trophy as 2001-02 West Division champions and secure the Western Conference's number-two seed in the 2002 AHL Calder Cup playoffs.

Win Some, Lose Some
The Griffins have had an up-and-down season this year and are currently on a four-game winless streak, which is tied for their season high. Grand Rapids has points in eight of its last 14 games (5-6-1-2). The Griffins rank seventh in the Central Division and are nine points out of a playoff spot with five games remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 20 of its last 34 contests (14-14-3-3, 0.500). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation just 15 times through 38 games (16-15-3-4, 0.513).

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 123 assists he now ranks sixth in franchise history, passing Nathan Paetsch. He is seven helpers away from tying Derek King for fifth in franchise annals. 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 career-high 40 helpers in 67 games this year, which is tied for 11th on the circuit. In addition, his 21 power-play assists this season are tied for sixth in the AHL. Hirose also leads the roster with 55 points (15-40—55) in 67 appearances.

Griffins Tenders
Last 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. Last Sunday, Ryan Bednard made his Griffins debut and became the eighth netminder to compete for Grand Rapids this campaign.

Just the Beginning
Last 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 (2004, 2005, 2017, 2022). In his second game, Mazur recorded his first pro point with an assist against Milwaukee last Friday.

Few and Far Between
Dominik Shine last Wednesday became just the seventh player in franchise history to reach 350 games played. This is rare air occupied by four Calder Cup champs, all three of the Griffins’ two-time winners, and two of the three Griffins who’ve had their numbers retired. Throughout the 352 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.

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 12 points (6-6—12) in his last 12 outings. O’Regan also has 22 points in his last 21 games (10-12—22).

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 12-30-0-0 (0.286) 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 are tied for seventh among rookie defensemen
Taro Hirose—21 power-play assists are tied for sixth, 40 assists are tied for 11th
Joel L’Esperance—13 power-play goals are tied for third, 232 shots are tied for third

Milestones
Joel L’Esperance appeared in his 250th game in the AHL on April 2. 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.
Taro Hirose—Two games from 250 as a pro
Brian Lashoff—One assist from 100 as a Griffin and in the AHL
John Lethemon—One win from 50 as a pro
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
William Wallinder—Two assists from 50 as a pro

Photo by Manitoba Moose