Griffins Game #18 * Home Game #8 * AHL Game #269

Season Series: 1-0-0-0 Home Series: 1-0-0-0 Road Series: 0-0-0-0
All-Time Series: 68-37-1-1-9 All-Time Home Series: 38-15-1-1-6 All-Time Road Series: 30-22-0-0-3

Moose at Griffins
Second of eight meetings overall, second of four at Van Andel Arena…Since the Moose rejoined the AHL in 2015-16, Grand Rapids is 24-13-0-2 against them, including a 16-5-0-1 ledger in Grand Rapids…Grand Rapids has points in seven of the past nine meetings against the Moose at Van Andel Arena, dating back to the 2019-20 season...This is the 117th meeting between the two teams, which is the third most encounters by any Grand Rapids opponent...Manitoba is 4-5-1-0 in its last 10 games while the Griffins are 4-5-1-0...On foreign ice this season, the Moose are 4-2-1-0 and the Griffins bolster a 4-2-1-0 ledger in West Michigan...The Moose rank fifth in the AHL with a road power play percentage of 26.9% and their road penalty kill percentage of 85.7% is tied for third.

Last Time Out
In the Teddy Bear Toss game, the Grand Rapids Griffins shut out the Manitoba Moose for a 3-0 victory at Van Andel Arena on Friday. Tonight was Jussi Olkinuora’s (26 saves) first shutout since Dec. 14, 2013 and the first for Grand Rapids since March 5, 2022 against the Iowa Wild. Pontus Andreasson continued his scoring run with a goal in the second stanza and has 11 points in his last nine outings (5-6–11). The Swede’s tally streak is tied with Dominik Shine’s three-game goal stretch from Oct. 23-30 and Jonatan Berggren’s from Oct. 30-Nov. 4. Chase Pearson made his season debut and bagged an assist on Andreasson’s goal.

Roster Shakeup
- Nov. 10—F Jonatan Berggren and F Givani Smith recalled by Detroit
- Nov. 11—F Givani Smith reassigned by Detroit; G John Lethemon assigned to Toledo by Grand Rapids
- Nov. 12—F Trenton Bliss reassigned to Toledo by Grand Rapids
- Nov. 13—F Trenton Bliss recalled by Grand Rapids
- Nov. 18—F Austin Czarnik reassigned by Detroit
- Nov. 25—F Trenton Bliss reassigned to Toledo by Grand Rapids

This Date in Griffins History
2005: Despite a 6-5 shootout loss to Hamilton, the Griffins close-out their best 20-game start in franchise history with a 15-3-0-2 record.

Grab the Confetti
The Griffins competed in their 2000th regular-season game (1051-738-27-71-119) on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Cleveland. The team skated in its 1000th regular-season home contest (558-331-15-37-60) last Wednesday, Nov. 16 versus the Rockford IceHogs. The Griffins are also seven road wins away from 500 as a franchise (493-407-12-34-59).

Regaining Power
The Griffins’ power play has gotten off to a fast start this season, as the unit ranks sixth in the AHL with a conversion rate of 24.4%, which also leads the Central Division. Last week, Grand Rapids went 6-for-15 on the man-advantage (40%) and scored four times on the power play on Nov. 18 at San Diego, one shy of tying a franchise record. The Griffins have not scored on the power play in just six games this season.

Bobbing for Apples
Taro Hirose collected his first pro hat trick on Nov. 18 at San Diego, which included a career-high four points (3-1—4). Hirose has been known for his passing abilities throughout four seasons with the Griffins. In fact, the former Michigan State Spartan has had at least 22 assists in each full AHL campaign in his career. This season has a similar pace, as Hirose has totaled a team-leading 13 helpers in 17 games, which is tied for ninth in the league and his nine power-play assists are tied for first in the AHL. Hirose saw his five-game point streak (1-5—6) come to an end on Nov. 5 but has points in 12 of the 17 contests this season.

Take the Over
The Griffins averaged just 2.75 goals a game during the 2021-22 season while giving up 3.16. However, this campaign has been much different, as Grand Rapids is averaging 3.18 goals while conceding 4.06. Eleven of their 17 games so far have had seven or more total goals scored, with six of those contests having eight or more tallies. Last night’s game was the Griffins first contest that saw fewer than five goals. The Griffins rank third to last on the circuit with 69 goals against while their 54 goals for are tied for 13th.

Pontus Pilot
After a slow start that saw him tally one point (0-1—1) in the first seven games, Pontus Andreasson has been among the driving forces of the Griffins’ offense of late. Andreasson enjoyed a three-game point streak (2-3—5) from Nov. 9-12 and has 11 points in the last nine outings (5-6—11), including goals in three straight from Nov. 18-25. The Munkedal, Sweden, native bagged his first goal in North America on Nov. 11 against Toronto to conclude a three-point contest (2-1—3). In 2021-22 in the Swedish Hockey League, Andreasson finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting when he totaled 38 points (18-20—38) in 52 games. The 24-year-old signed a one-year contract with Detroit this past offseason.

Hot Starts
It seems as though every franchise in the American Hockey League has had a promising start to the season. In fact, 25 of the 32 teams in the AHL are 0.500 or above entering Saturday. In the Central Division, every team is at or above 0.500 except for the reigning Calder Cup champions, the Chicago Wolves (0.400). Seven out of eight in the Atlantic, eight of the 10 teams in the Pacific and four of the seven clubs in the North are above the 0.500 mark.

Criss Cross Applesauce
Rookie Cross Hanas had himself quite the start to his pro career, compiling 12 points (7-5—12) in 16 games. Hanas played the role of hero on Nov. 11 against Toronto with an overtime winner to cap off his season-high three-point night (1-2—3). Hanas is tied for the team lead with seven goals, which also is tied for third among rookies in the AHL, and his 12 points are tied for 10th on the circuit among first-year players.

Inching Closer to No. 200
Jonatan Berggren made his NHL debut with Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 10, becoming the 196th Griffins alumnus to compete in the NHL. On Sunday, Nov. 6, forward Austin Czarnik became the 195th Griffin to appear in the NHL when he made his Red Wings debut. Previously, Matt Luff became the 194th Griffin in the NHL when he made his season debut with Detroit on Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Boston Bruins.

AHL Leaderboard Tracker
Austin Czarnik—Four power-play goals are tied for sixth
Simon Edvinsson—Eight assists are tied for ninth among rookies
Cross Hanas—Seven goals are tied for third among rookies, 12 points are tied for 10th among first-year players
Taro Hirose—Thirteen assists are tied for ninth, nine power-play assists are tied for first
Joel L’Esperance—Four power-play goals are tied for sixth

Milestones
Joel L’Esperance skated in his 200th AHL game on Nov. 25 vs. Manitoba and bagged his 150th AHL point with a goal. Austin Czarnik recorded his 150th assist in the AHL on Nov. 19 at San Diego.
Taro Hirose—Four assists from 100 as a Griffin and in the AHL, four points from 150 as a pro

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins