Griffins Game #62 * Home Game #33 * AHL Game #978

Season Series: 4-2-1-0 Home Series: 1-1-1-0 Road Series: 3-1-0-0
All-Time Series: 95-83-2-8-3 All-Time Home Series: 45-38-2-6-2 All-Time Road Series: 50-45-0-2-1

Wolves at Griffins
Eighth of 10 meetings overall, fourth of five at Van Andel Arena…Grand Rapids has faced Chicago 191 times in the regular season dating back to their IHL days, the second-most of any Griffins opponent (Milwaukee, 211)…The Griffins’ four-game point streak against Chicago from Dec. 22-Feb. 24 was their longest run against the Wolves since a five-game point streak from Nov. 21, 2015-Feb. 28, 2016...Sixteen total goals were scored between the two teams on Dec. 22 (8-7 OTW), which was Grand Rapids’ first 8-7 result in franchise history. Chicago’s seven goals were the second-most allowed by the Griffins in a win, trailing only a 10-8 victory over Chicago on Nov. 27, 2010...Since the 2020-21 season, Grand Rapids is just 8-19-2-0 (0.310) against the Wolves and has been outscored 115-69...The Griffins possess a 16-32-2-1 (0.343) overall record against Chicago since 2017-18 and have been outscored 193-133...Since the 2017-18 season, the Griffins are 6-16-2-0 (0.292) against the Wolves in Grand Rapids and have been outscored 90-57...The last time Grand Rapids was above 0.500 at Van Andel Arena against Chicago was in the 2016-17 season when it went 4-1-0-0...The Wolves come into the contest with a 5-4-0-1 record in their past 10 games and have a 15-13-0-0 ledger on the road...The Griffins are 3-5-1-1 in their last 10 outings and possess an 11-15-4-2 mark at home...As part of his 11-year pro career, Griffins coach Ben Simon registered 87 points (37-50—87) in 196 games with the Wolves from 2001-03 and 2004-05 and was a part of their first Calder Cup title in 2002.

Last Time Out
The Griffins dropped their second-consecutive contest of the weekend to the Admirals in a 3-1 loss at Van Andel Arena. Matt Luff and Danny O’Regan combined for the lone score for Grand Rapids in the first period. Luff and O’Regan have been the catalysts of the team in their last 15 outings, with Luff recording 12 points (5-7–12) and O’Regan posting 16 (6-10–16) in that span. John Lethemon drew his second start for the Griffins, nabbing 22 saves on 24 shots. In his two starts, Lethemon has a 2.95 GAA and 0.908 save percentage. The sellout crowd of 10,834 was the Griffins’ fourth capacity crowd this season and the first non-Friday/Saturday sellout since Dec. 31, 2019 (Tuesday).

Roster Shake Up
- March 12—G John Lethemon reassigned to Grand Rapids by Detroit from Toledo (ECHL)
- March 13—F Matt Luff recalled by Detroit
- March 15—F Austin Czarnik and F Matt Luff reassigned by Detroit; G Jan Bednar signed to a two-year contract by Grand Rapids and assigned to Toledo (ECHL)
- March 17—F Austin Czarnik and D Simon Edvinsson recalled by Detroit
- March 21—F Matt Luff recalled by Detroit
- March 22--D Charlie Curti signed to a PTO by Grand Rapids

This Date in Griffins History
2002: Playing in just his second pro game, rookie forward Tim Skarperud nets a natural hat trick to lead the Griffins to a 4-3 overtime win at Milwaukee. It marks the twelfth straight series road game that Grand Rapids earns at least a point.

Steady in Ned
Netminder Alex Nedeljkovic has had his fair share of success against the Chicago Wolves throughout his career. Through eight games against the Wolves, Nedeljkovic has a 5-3-0 record with one shutout and has won four of his last five contests against Chicago. The seven-year veteran has also garnered a 2.37 goals against average and a 0.926 save percentage against the heated rival. In 25 games this season with the Griffins, Nedeljkovic has a 12-9-3 mark to go along with a 2.70 GAA and a 0.913 save percentage.

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 dropped two straight this past weekend but still has points in five of its last eight games (3-3-1-1). The Griffins are seventh in the Central Division and are 10 points out of a playoff spot with 11 games remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 17 of its last 28 contests (12-11-3-2, 0.518). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation just 12 times through 32 games (14-12-3-3, 0.531).

Thank You, Fans
On Sunday, the Griffins hosted a sellout crowd of 10,834 at Van Andel Arena, which included 221 dogs for the Jake Engel Memorial Dog Game. The capacity crowd was the fourth sellout of the season and the first non-Friday/Saturday sellout since Dec. 31, 2019 (Tuesday). Grand Rapids also sold out a Sunday game for the first time since March 31, 2019. The Griffins rank fifth in the AHL in average attendance at 7,479 this season.

Matty Ice
Matt Luff has been a welcome addition to the roster since returning from injury on Jan. 28. Since his return, Luff has 17 points in 23 games (5-12—17) and enjoyed a five-game point streak (2-4—6) from March 4-12, which was one game shy of tying his career high. Through 28 games with the Griffins, the Windsor, Ontario, native has 25 points (8-17—25) and six penalty minutes. Luff also appeared in seven games with Detroit this season, scoring one goal. He was recalled by the Red Wings on Tuesday.

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 six points (2-4—6) in his last six outings. O’Regan also has 16 points in his last 15 games (6-10—16).

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 119 assists he now ranks seventh in franchise history, passing Jiri Hudler (114). Hirose is now three assists from tying Nathan Paetsch for sixth all time. 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 36 helpers in 61 games this year. In addition, his 19 power-play assists this season are tied for seventh in the AHL. Hirose also leads the roster with 50 points (14-36—50) in 61 appearances.

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 14-2-4-3 (0.761) in games decided by one goal and 6-0-4-0 in overtime contests. In comparison, the Griffins are just 11-27-0-0 (0.289) 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 seventh, three short-handed goals are tied for first
Simon Edvinsson—22 assists are tied for fifth among rookie defensemen, 27 points are tied for sixth among rookie defensemen, five goals are tied for ninth among rookie defensemen
Taro Hirose—19 power-play assists are tied for seventh, 36 assists are tied for 15th
Albert Johansson—Five goals are tied for ninth among rookie defensemen
Joel L’Esperance—12 power-play goals are tied for third, 203 shots rank fourth
Alex Nedeljkovic—0.913 save percentage is tied for 14th

Milestones
Danny O’Regan notched his 300th pro point with a goal on March 16 at Cleveland, while Dominik Shine scored his 50th pro goal with the game-winner, which was also his 100th pro point. Alex Nedeljkovic collected his 100th AHL victory in a 3-1 win at Chicago on March 12. Wyatt Newpower appeared in his 100th game as a Griffin on March 12 and Donovan Sebrango suited up in his 150th pro game.
Austin Czarnik—Two assists from 200 as a pro
Simon Edvinsson—One assist from 50 as a pro
Matt Luff—Two assists from 100 as a pro, three games from 200 in the AHL
Alex Nedeljkovic—Two wins from 150 as a pro
Chase Pearson—Two assists from 50 as a pro, in the AHL and as a Griffin
Elmer Soderblom—Two games from 150 as a pro
Tyler Spezia—Two goals from 50 as a pro

Photo by Mark Newman/Griffins