Griffins Game #65 * Home Game #34 * AHL Game #1,023

Season Series: 5-2-1-0 Home Series: 2-1-1-0 Road Series: 3-1-0-0
All-Time Series: 96-83-2-8-3 All-Time Home Series: 46-38-2-6-2 All-Time Road Series: 50-45-0-2-1

Wolves at Griffins
Ninth of 10 meetings overall, fifth of five at Van Andel Arena…Grand Rapids has faced Chicago 192 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...With a 5-2-1-0 record and only two games remaining, the Griffins will be above the 0.500 mark against Chicago for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign...Since the 2020-21 season, Grand Rapids is just 9-19-2-0 (0.333) against the Wolves and has been outscored 118-75...The Griffins possess a 17-32-2-1 (0.356) overall record against Chicago since 2017-18 and have been outscored 196-139...Since the 2017-18 season, the Griffins are 7-16-2-0 (0.320) against the Wolves in Grand Rapids and have been outscored 93-63...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 4-4-1-1 record in their past 10 games and have a 16-14-1-0 ledger on the road...The Griffins are 5-4-0-1 in their last 10 outings and possess an 12-15-4-2 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
Wild’s netminder Zane McIntyre closed the door on all 27 shots from the Griffins, as the home team took a 3-0 victory at Wells Fargo Arena. McIntyre has been a problem for the Griffins all season, as the eighth-year pro posted a 5-1-0 mark, a 2.15 goals against average and a 0.932 save percentage against Grand Rapids. The Griffins’ penalty kill finished 4-for-4 but the Wild matched Grand Rapids with four kills of their own. Grand Rapids finished the season series against Iowa with a 3-5-1-1 record. The Griffins remain within eight points of the Rockford IceHogs for the final playoff spot in the Central Division.

Roster Shake Up
- March 23—G Alex Nedeljkovic recalled by Detroit
- March 24—G Dylan St. Cyr signed to an ATO by Grand Rapids
- 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

This Date in Griffins History
2002: Goaltender Martin Prusek and defenseman John Gruden are named to the AHL First All-Star Team, the only teammates so honored. It marks the first time in franchise history that Grand Rapids has two players named to a First All-Star Team.

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 three contests but still has points in seven of its last 11 games (5-4-1-1). The Griffins are tied for sixth in the Central Division and are eight points out of a playoff spot with eight games remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 19 of its last 31 contests (14-12-3-2, 0.532). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation just 13 times through 35 games (16-13-3-3, 0.543).

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 64 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 64 appearances. Hirose 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 nine points (4-5—9) in his last nine outings. O’Regan also has 19 points in his last 18 games (8-11—19).

Jumping for Joel
In his first year as a Griffin, Joel L’Esperance leads the team in goals with 23 and is tied for second on the roster with 43 points. L’Esperance has lit the lamp in two of the past three games and needs seven more tallies to tie his career high set during the 2018-19 season with Texas (30 goals). The Brighton, Mich., native is also just six points from tying his career-high mark from the 2021-22 campaign (49 points). Throughout 247 AHL contests, L’Esperance has amassed 179 points (103-76—179) 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 15-2-4-3 (0.771) in games decided by one goal and 6-0-4-0 in overtime contests. In comparison, the Griffins are just 12-28-0-0 (0.300) 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 first
Simon Edvinsson—22 assists are tied for fifth among rookie defensemen, 27 points are tied for sixth among rookie defensemen
Taro Hirose—20 power-play assists are tied for seventh, 39 assists are tied for 11th
Joel L’Esperance—12 power-play goals are tied for third, 212 shots rank fourth

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.
John Lethemon—One win from 50 as a pro
Joel L’Esperance—Three games from 250 in the AHL
Danny O’Regan—Two points from 300 in the AHL
Chase Pearson—One assist from 50 as a pro, in the AHL and as a Griffin
Dominik Shine—One game from 350 as a pro, in the AHL and as a Griffin
Ben Simon—Four victories from setting the franchise record for most wins as head coach (147)
Tyler Spezia—Two goals from 50 as a pro

Photo by Mark Newman/Griffins