GRIFFINS TANGLE WITH ADMIRALS AND MONSTERS AMID WEEKEND THREE-IN-THREE
This Week’s Games
Fri., March 20 Milwaukee Admirals at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Sat., March 21 GRIFFINS at Lake Erie Monsters 7 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Sun., March 22 Adirondack Flames at GRIFFINS 4 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Last Week’s Results
Tue., March 10 GRIFFINS 3 at Charlotte Checkers 2 36-17-6-1, 79 pts. (1st, Midwest Division)
Thu., March 12 GRIFFINS 1 at Charlotte Checkers 2 SO 36-17-6-2, 80 pts. (1st)
Sat., March 14 Rockford IceHogs 1 at GRIFFINS 3 37-17-6-2, 82 pts. (1st)
The Streak Lives: Grand Rapids extended its franchise-record point streak to 18 games over the course of last week, taking home five of six possible points with two victories and a shootout loss. On Tuesday, the Griffins edged out the Charlotte Checkers, 3-2, at Time Warner Cable Arena, with the game-winning goal coming from defenseman Nick Jensen 3:15 into the third period. A goaltender showdown on Thursday ultimately went in favor of Charlotte netminder and former Griffin Drew MacIntyre, who blocked a whopping 47 of 48 possible shots to backstop the Checkers to a 2-1 shootout win. Martin Frk earned the Griffins’ lone goal at 3:02 of the final period, his third of the year, before Charlotte’s Justin Shugg knotted the game at 11:14. The Griffins unleashed 10 shots in overtime, but MacIntyre remained steadfast to push Grand Rapids to its fourth shootout of the season. Andy Miele was the only skater to connect for the Griffins, while Brock McGinn and Shugg both found their way around McCollum. Grand Rapids returned home to Van Andel Arena on Saturday and reversed its fortunes, earning two valuable points over their Midwest Division rival and second-place contender, the Rockford IceHogs. After a scoreless first period, the IceHogs drew blood at 14:09 of the second, before the Griffins exploded for a late-period barrage. First, Ryan Sproul tied the game at one apiece with a power play goal at 17:41. Then, Kevin Porter turned out an impressive individual effort to put the Griffins up by one at 19:09 heading into the second intermission. The play was even on both ends during the third, until captain Jeff Hoggan produced the insurance tally with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
The Midwest: The first-place Griffins (37-17-6-2, 82 pts.) secured two valuable points over the second-place Rockford IceHogs (34-19-5-2, 75 pts.) on Saturday with a 3-1 victory at Van Andel Arena. The results around the Midwest Division were completely in favor of Grand Rapids on Saturday, as Milwaukee (31-22-5-4, 71 pts.), Chicago (29-24-6-2, 65 pts.) and Lake Erie (27-25-5-3, 62 pts.) all lost in regulation. The Admirals sit in third in the division and have struggled as of late with a 2-7-1-0 record in their last 10 games. Trailing in fourth are the Chicago Wolves, followed by the Lake Erie Monsters in fifth.
Western Warriors: The Griffins (37-17-6-2, 82 pts.) currently rank first in the Western Conference, two points ahead of the Oklahoma City Barons (37-18-3-3, 80 pts.), who have a game in hand. Grand Rapids also ranks second in the league overall, led only by the Manchester Monarchs (38-15-6-2, 84 pts.).
‘90s Night/Friday Promotions: Come decked out in your acid-washed jeans, windbreakers and scrunchies as the Griffins feature totally radical music and promotions from the ‘90s all game long. After the game, fans can partake in a post-game auction for the second round of fan-designed jerseys, which will be worn during the game. Proceeds will benefit the GVSU Laker Dance Team. Friday’s game gives fans the opportunity to enjoy $2 hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last. Fans can also take advantage of College Night specials, where college students can purchase an upper bowl ticket for $14 (or $13 in advance at The Zone) and stop by the McFadden’s concourse table to receive a free pass to the post-game party at McFadden’s. Every Friday night is a Griffins D-Zone night, where fans can have $2 beers and $2 hot dogs served directly to their seats. D-ZONE tickets are only available by calling 616-774-4585 ext. 2 or at griffinshockey.com/dzone. In addition, enjoy all of the popcorn you can eat with a special offer that includes four or more upper or lower level tickets and a Griffins popcorn bucket good for unlimited popcorn refills throughout the game! Popcorn packs are only available by calling 616-774-4585 ext. 2 or at griffinshockey.com/popcorn.
Dog Night/Sunday Promotions: For the first time ever, man’s best friend is invited to Van Andel Arena to catch some hockey! Sponsored by Nestlé Purina and Meijer, the event allows owners to bring their dog to the game with the purchase of both a human ticket for $15 and a dog ticket for $5. All dog ticket proceeds will benefit Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary. For additional details, including a downloadable waiver form for your dog, please visit griffinshockey.com/dognight. Fans can also enjoy $1 Pepsi drinks and $1 ice cream from 4-6 p.m.
Rewriting History: Upon knocking off the Rockford IceHogs, 3-1, on Saturday, the Griffins extended their franchise record for the longest point streak to 18 games (14-0-3-1). The previous record was 16 games set during the team’s second AHL season, from Oct. 25-Nov. 30, 2002 (11-0-3-2 = W-L-T-OTL). The Griffins’ point streak is the longest in the AHL since the 2011-12 Norfolk Admirals concluded the regular season with 28 consecutive wins.
22/23: The Griffins have picked up points in 22 of their last 23 games (Jan. 23-March 14) and banked 40 of 46 possible points within that span (18-1-3-1).
Griffins Leaders: Despite being called up to the Detroit Red Wings on March 7, right wing Teemu Pulkkinen still ranks first on the team in scoring with 61 points (34-27—61) in 46 games, and he ranks first in the league in goals and second in scoring, surpassed only by Manchester’s Brian O’Neill (20-47—67), who has played in 11 more games. Andy Miele, who ties for third in the league in scoring, is in pursuit of Pulkkinen for the team lead. Miele has accumulated 58 points (20-38—58) in 57 games. Left wing Mitch Callahan suffered a season-ending injury on Feb. 13 but still registers third on the team with 38 points (16-22—38), followed by Landon Ferraro’s 35 points (23-12—35). Grand Rapids’ best plus/minus rating goes to defenseman Nick Jensen with a plus-19 rating, followed by Nathan Paetsch’s at plus-18.
Esteemed Service: Last Saturday, goaltender Tom McCollum played his 186th regular season game as a Griffin, tying Jimmy Howard for second on the franchise’s all-time list behind Joey MacDonald (210).
Bicentennial Man: Grand Rapids captain Jeff Hoggan is three games away from reaching 200 regular season games as a Griffin. Coincidentally, Hoggan’s 200th game as a Griffin will also be his 800th professional regular season game. In last Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Rockford, Hoggan potted the Griffins’ third goal, which happened to be his 100th point with the team since joining for the 2012-13 season.
Road Run: The Griffins have secured a point in 11 consecutive road games (9-0-1-1), one shy of the 12-game franchise record established from April 5-Nov. 30, 2002 (9-0-1-2 = W-L-T-OTL).
Six-Years Strong: Tom McCollum, whose personal point streak with the Griffins now stands at 11 games (Dec. 27-March 14) after turning aside 27 shots in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Rockford, has not lost a contest in regulation time in either the AHL or NHL since Dec. 13. McCollum ranks 14th among AHL goaltenders with a 2.34 goals against average, alongside a 13-8-6 record and a 0.911 save percentage.
Discipline: The Griffins boast the fewest penalty minutes in the Western Conference with 704, followed by the Texas Stars (713). Around the entire league, only the Worcester Sharks (672) have fewer PIM than the Griffins.
Goal Differential: The Griffins have outscored their opponents 202 to 147, giving the team a league-leading plus-55 goal differential. While the Manchester Monarchs (+51) have the next-best differential, the closest Western Conference team is the Oklahoma City Barons with plus-25. Grand Rapids averages 3.26 goals per game, first in the league, and limits its opponents to an average of just 2.37 goals per game (6th).
Extra Hours: In the Griffins’ last 17 games (Feb. 6-March 14), the team has gone to overtime or the shootout eight times (47.1%). Grand Rapids has won in overtime four times, lost in overtime three times and lost in the shootout once during that span.
Blooming Blueliner: Second-year defenseman Nick Jensen has been turning up the point production recently, notching a goal and five assists in his last seven games (Feb. 28-March 14). In all, Jensen owns 19 points (5-14—19) in 61 games with Grand Rapids this season, meaning that 32% of his points have been earned in the last 11% of his games played.
Two for You: Teemu Pulkkinen earned his first multi-goal NHL game on Sunday, when the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 on the road. Pulkkinen scored two goals on four shots in the contest to earn third-star honors, while Petr Mrazek earned first-star honors with a 42-save performance. Pulkkinen has 17 multi-point and six multi-goal AHL games this season.
Walleye World: The ECHL’s Toledo Walleye (39-13-4-2) are on a four-game point streak after shutting out Elmira, 3-0, on Tuesday. Jeff Lerg, who was on a professional tryout with Grand Rapids last week, turned aside 21 shots in the victory, while Tyler Barnes and Kyle Bonis each earned a goal. With the win, the Walleye moved into a tie for first place in the North Division with the Fort Wayne Komets (39-14-2-4, 84 pts.), but Toledo still has a game in hand. With a regulation win at Wheeling tonight, Toledo would clinch a berth into the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Scouting Report
Fri., March 20 vs. Milwaukee Admirals (31-22-5-4) – Van Andel Arena – 7 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 6:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com, free audio available through woodradio.com. All-Time Series: 71-51-7-6-7 Overall, 39-24-2-1-2 Home. Season Series: 5-2-1-0 Overall, 2-1-0-0 Home. Ninth of 10 meetings overall, fourth of five at Van Andel Arena. NHL Affiliation: Nashville Predators. Head Coach: Dean Evason (3rd season). Notes: The Admirals rank third in the Midwest Division, sixth in the Western Conference and 14th overall…Milwaukee owns a 2-7-1-0 record in its last 10 outings and is currently on a five-game losing streak (0-4-1-0)...The last time the two teams met on March 6, the Griffins gave up a hat trick to Viktor Stalberg, including his game-tying goal with 0.4 seconds remaining and overtime winner…Rookie right wing Viktor Arvidsson leads the team in scoring with 51 points (20-31—51) in 62 games and leads the entire league in shots with 235…Left wing Richard Clune posts the most penalty minutes for the Admirals with 167 in 48 games, and left wing Michael Liambas is the second-most physical presence with 126 PIM in 40 games…Former Griffin and Calder Cup Champion Triston Grant is a member of the Admirals this season. In 59 games, he has clocked 20 points (10-10—20), 103 PIM and a minus-six rating.
Sat., March 21 at Lake Erie Monsters (27-25-5-3) – Quicken Loans Arena – 7 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 6:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com, free audio available through woodradio.com. All-Time Series: 30-19-3-6 Overall, 12-9-2-5 Road. Season Series: 4-3-1-0 Overall, 2-1-0-0 Road. Ninth of 10 meetings overall, fourth of five at Quicken Loans Arena. NHL Affiliation: Colorado Avalanche. Head Coach: Dean Chynoweth (2nd season). Notes: The Monsters rank fifth in the Midwest Division, 12th in the Western Conference and 24th overall…After facing each other eight times before Christmas, the Griffins and Monsters haven’t met since Dec. 20, a 4-3 shootout win for Grand Rapids at Quicken Loans Arena. Neither team has been able to earn consecutive wins during the eight-game season series thus far…Left wing Andrew Agozzino leads Lake Erie in scoring with 39 points (18-21—39) in 58 games…Right wing Daniel Maggio has clocked 186 penalty minutes in his 41 games this season, while center Mitchell Heard has an even 100 PIM in 38 games...Both Stefan Elliot (13-17—30) and Maxim Noreau (8-22—30) tie for 14th in scoring among league defensemen…Lake Erie’s power play record (16.7%) ranks 16th overall, while its penalty killing record (84.3%) ties for 14th with Milwaukee’s.
Sun., March 22 vs. Adirondack Flames (30-23-6-1) – Van Andel Arena – 4 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 3:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com, free audio available through woodradio.com. All-Time/Season Series: 1-0-0-0 Overall, 0-0-0-0 Home. Second of two meetings overall, first and only meeting ever at Van Andel Arena. NHL Affiliation: Calgary Flames. Head Coach: Ryan Huska (1st season). Notes: Sunday’s meeting will mark the Flames’ first, and only, visit ever to Van Andel Arena, as the franchise is being relocated next season to Stockton, Calif.…Adirondack ranks third in the North Division, ninth in the Western Conference and 18th overall…The Flames have the second-most penalty minutes in the conference with 1,059, and they’re led only by the Charlotte Checkers with 1,121 PIM…Center Drew Shore ranks first on the team in scoring with 37 points (12-25—37) in 47 AHL games this season, but he has spent a majority of his time with the San Antonio Rampage, potting 30 points (9-21—30) in 35 games while with the team. Shore was acquired in a trade by the Calgary Flames on Jan. 9 and was recalled by Calgary on March 2…The Flames’ second-leading scorer, Emile Poirier, is also on recall with Calgary. Poirier has 30 points (14-16—30) in 42 games this season…2013-14 AHL All-Rookie goaltender Joni Ortio is the Flames’ main netminder. In 35 games, Ortio owns a 20-12-1 record, along with four shutouts, a 2.64 goals against average and a 0.914 save percentage.
This Week’s Games
Fri., March 20 Milwaukee Admirals at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Sat., March 21 GRIFFINS at Lake Erie Monsters 7 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Sun., March 22 Adirondack Flames at GRIFFINS 4 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Last Week’s Results
Tue., March 10 GRIFFINS 3 at Charlotte Checkers 2 36-17-6-1, 79 pts. (1st, Midwest Division)
Thu., March 12 GRIFFINS 1 at Charlotte Checkers 2 SO 36-17-6-2, 80 pts. (1st)
Sat., March 14 Rockford IceHogs 1 at GRIFFINS 3 37-17-6-2, 82 pts. (1st)
The Streak Lives: Grand Rapids extended its franchise-record point streak to 18 games over the course of last week, taking home five of six possible points with two victories and a shootout loss. On Tuesday, the Griffins edged out the Charlotte Checkers, 3-2, at Time Warner Cable Arena, with the game-winning goal coming from defenseman Nick Jensen 3:15 into the third period. A goaltender showdown on Thursday ultimately went in favor of Charlotte netminder and former Griffin Drew MacIntyre, who blocked a whopping 47 of 48 possible shots to backstop the Checkers to a 2-1 shootout win. Martin Frk earned the Griffins’ lone goal at 3:02 of the final period, his third of the year, before Charlotte’s Justin Shugg knotted the game at 11:14. The Griffins unleashed 10 shots in overtime, but MacIntyre remained steadfast to push Grand Rapids to its fourth shootout of the season. Andy Miele was the only skater to connect for the Griffins, while Brock McGinn and Shugg both found their way around McCollum. Grand Rapids returned home to Van Andel Arena on Saturday and reversed its fortunes, earning two valuable points over their Midwest Division rival and second-place contender, the Rockford IceHogs. After a scoreless first period, the IceHogs drew blood at 14:09 of the second, before the Griffins exploded for a late-period barrage. First, Ryan Sproul tied the game at one apiece with a power play goal at 17:41. Then, Kevin Porter turned out an impressive individual effort to put the Griffins up by one at 19:09 heading into the second intermission. The play was even on both ends during the third, until captain Jeff Hoggan produced the insurance tally with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
The Midwest: The first-place Griffins (37-17-6-2, 82 pts.) secured two valuable points over the second-place Rockford IceHogs (34-19-5-2, 75 pts.) on Saturday with a 3-1 victory at Van Andel Arena. The results around the Midwest Division were completely in favor of Grand Rapids on Saturday, as Milwaukee (31-22-5-4, 71 pts.), Chicago (29-24-6-2, 65 pts.) and Lake Erie (27-25-5-3, 62 pts.) all lost in regulation. The Admirals sit in third in the division and have struggled as of late with a 2-7-1-0 record in their last 10 games. Trailing in fourth are the Chicago Wolves, followed by the Lake Erie Monsters in fifth.
Western Warriors: The Griffins (37-17-6-2, 82 pts.) currently rank first in the Western Conference, two points ahead of the Oklahoma City Barons (37-18-3-3, 80 pts.), who have a game in hand. Grand Rapids also ranks second in the league overall, led only by the Manchester Monarchs (38-15-6-2, 84 pts.).
‘90s Night/Friday Promotions: Come decked out in your acid-washed jeans, windbreakers and scrunchies as the Griffins feature totally radical music and promotions from the ‘90s all game long. After the game, fans can partake in a post-game auction for the second round of fan-designed jerseys, which will be worn during the game. Proceeds will benefit the GVSU Laker Dance Team. Friday’s game gives fans the opportunity to enjoy $2 hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last. Fans can also take advantage of College Night specials, where college students can purchase an upper bowl ticket for $14 (or $13 in advance at The Zone) and stop by the McFadden’s concourse table to receive a free pass to the post-game party at McFadden’s. Every Friday night is a Griffins D-Zone night, where fans can have $2 beers and $2 hot dogs served directly to their seats. D-ZONE tickets are only available by calling 616-774-4585 ext. 2 or at griffinshockey.com/dzone. In addition, enjoy all of the popcorn you can eat with a special offer that includes four or more upper or lower level tickets and a Griffins popcorn bucket good for unlimited popcorn refills throughout the game! Popcorn packs are only available by calling 616-774-4585 ext. 2 or at griffinshockey.com/popcorn.
Dog Night/Sunday Promotions: For the first time ever, man’s best friend is invited to Van Andel Arena to catch some hockey! Sponsored by Nestlé Purina and Meijer, the event allows owners to bring their dog to the game with the purchase of both a human ticket for $15 and a dog ticket for $5. All dog ticket proceeds will benefit Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary. For additional details, including a downloadable waiver form for your dog, please visit griffinshockey.com/dognight. Fans can also enjoy $1 Pepsi drinks and $1 ice cream from 4-6 p.m.
Rewriting History: Upon knocking off the Rockford IceHogs, 3-1, on Saturday, the Griffins extended their franchise record for the longest point streak to 18 games (14-0-3-1). The previous record was 16 games set during the team’s second AHL season, from Oct. 25-Nov. 30, 2002 (11-0-3-2 = W-L-T-OTL). The Griffins’ point streak is the longest in the AHL since the 2011-12 Norfolk Admirals concluded the regular season with 28 consecutive wins.
22/23: The Griffins have picked up points in 22 of their last 23 games (Jan. 23-March 14) and banked 40 of 46 possible points within that span (18-1-3-1).
Griffins Leaders: Despite being called up to the Detroit Red Wings on March 7, right wing Teemu Pulkkinen still ranks first on the team in scoring with 61 points (34-27—61) in 46 games, and he ranks first in the league in goals and second in scoring, surpassed only by Manchester’s Brian O’Neill (20-47—67), who has played in 11 more games. Andy Miele, who ties for third in the league in scoring, is in pursuit of Pulkkinen for the team lead. Miele has accumulated 58 points (20-38—58) in 57 games. Left wing Mitch Callahan suffered a season-ending injury on Feb. 13 but still registers third on the team with 38 points (16-22—38), followed by Landon Ferraro’s 35 points (23-12—35). Grand Rapids’ best plus/minus rating goes to defenseman Nick Jensen with a plus-19 rating, followed by Nathan Paetsch’s at plus-18.
Esteemed Service: Last Saturday, goaltender Tom McCollum played his 186th regular season game as a Griffin, tying Jimmy Howard for second on the franchise’s all-time list behind Joey MacDonald (210).
Bicentennial Man: Grand Rapids captain Jeff Hoggan is three games away from reaching 200 regular season games as a Griffin. Coincidentally, Hoggan’s 200th game as a Griffin will also be his 800th professional regular season game. In last Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Rockford, Hoggan potted the Griffins’ third goal, which happened to be his 100th point with the team since joining for the 2012-13 season.
Road Run: The Griffins have secured a point in 11 consecutive road games (9-0-1-1), one shy of the 12-game franchise record established from April 5-Nov. 30, 2002 (9-0-1-2 = W-L-T-OTL).
Six-Years Strong: Tom McCollum, whose personal point streak with the Griffins now stands at 11 games (Dec. 27-March 14) after turning aside 27 shots in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Rockford, has not lost a contest in regulation time in either the AHL or NHL since Dec. 13. McCollum ranks 14th among AHL goaltenders with a 2.34 goals against average, alongside a 13-8-6 record and a 0.911 save percentage.
Discipline: The Griffins boast the fewest penalty minutes in the Western Conference with 704, followed by the Texas Stars (713). Around the entire league, only the Worcester Sharks (672) have fewer PIM than the Griffins.
Goal Differential: The Griffins have outscored their opponents 202 to 147, giving the team a league-leading plus-55 goal differential. While the Manchester Monarchs (+51) have the next-best differential, the closest Western Conference team is the Oklahoma City Barons with plus-25. Grand Rapids averages 3.26 goals per game, first in the league, and limits its opponents to an average of just 2.37 goals per game (6th).
Extra Hours: In the Griffins’ last 17 games (Feb. 6-March 14), the team has gone to overtime or the shootout eight times (47.1%). Grand Rapids has won in overtime four times, lost in overtime three times and lost in the shootout once during that span.
Blooming Blueliner: Second-year defenseman Nick Jensen has been turning up the point production recently, notching a goal and five assists in his last seven games (Feb. 28-March 14). In all, Jensen owns 19 points (5-14—19) in 61 games with Grand Rapids this season, meaning that 32% of his points have been earned in the last 11% of his games played.
Two for You: Teemu Pulkkinen earned his first multi-goal NHL game on Sunday, when the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 on the road. Pulkkinen scored two goals on four shots in the contest to earn third-star honors, while Petr Mrazek earned first-star honors with a 42-save performance. Pulkkinen has 17 multi-point and six multi-goal AHL games this season.
Walleye World: The ECHL’s Toledo Walleye (39-13-4-2) are on a four-game point streak after shutting out Elmira, 3-0, on Tuesday. Jeff Lerg, who was on a professional tryout with Grand Rapids last week, turned aside 21 shots in the victory, while Tyler Barnes and Kyle Bonis each earned a goal. With the win, the Walleye moved into a tie for first place in the North Division with the Fort Wayne Komets (39-14-2-4, 84 pts.), but Toledo still has a game in hand. With a regulation win at Wheeling tonight, Toledo would clinch a berth into the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Scouting Report
Fri., March 20 vs. Milwaukee Admirals (31-22-5-4) – Van Andel Arena – 7 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 6:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com, free audio available through woodradio.com. All-Time Series: 71-51-7-6-7 Overall, 39-24-2-1-2 Home. Season Series: 5-2-1-0 Overall, 2-1-0-0 Home. Ninth of 10 meetings overall, fourth of five at Van Andel Arena. NHL Affiliation: Nashville Predators. Head Coach: Dean Evason (3rd season). Notes: The Admirals rank third in the Midwest Division, sixth in the Western Conference and 14th overall…Milwaukee owns a 2-7-1-0 record in its last 10 outings and is currently on a five-game losing streak (0-4-1-0)...The last time the two teams met on March 6, the Griffins gave up a hat trick to Viktor Stalberg, including his game-tying goal with 0.4 seconds remaining and overtime winner…Rookie right wing Viktor Arvidsson leads the team in scoring with 51 points (20-31—51) in 62 games and leads the entire league in shots with 235…Left wing Richard Clune posts the most penalty minutes for the Admirals with 167 in 48 games, and left wing Michael Liambas is the second-most physical presence with 126 PIM in 40 games…Former Griffin and Calder Cup Champion Triston Grant is a member of the Admirals this season. In 59 games, he has clocked 20 points (10-10—20), 103 PIM and a minus-six rating.
Sat., March 21 at Lake Erie Monsters (27-25-5-3) – Quicken Loans Arena – 7 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 6:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com, free audio available through woodradio.com. All-Time Series: 30-19-3-6 Overall, 12-9-2-5 Road. Season Series: 4-3-1-0 Overall, 2-1-0-0 Road. Ninth of 10 meetings overall, fourth of five at Quicken Loans Arena. NHL Affiliation: Colorado Avalanche. Head Coach: Dean Chynoweth (2nd season). Notes: The Monsters rank fifth in the Midwest Division, 12th in the Western Conference and 24th overall…After facing each other eight times before Christmas, the Griffins and Monsters haven’t met since Dec. 20, a 4-3 shootout win for Grand Rapids at Quicken Loans Arena. Neither team has been able to earn consecutive wins during the eight-game season series thus far…Left wing Andrew Agozzino leads Lake Erie in scoring with 39 points (18-21—39) in 58 games…Right wing Daniel Maggio has clocked 186 penalty minutes in his 41 games this season, while center Mitchell Heard has an even 100 PIM in 38 games...Both Stefan Elliot (13-17—30) and Maxim Noreau (8-22—30) tie for 14th in scoring among league defensemen…Lake Erie’s power play record (16.7%) ranks 16th overall, while its penalty killing record (84.3%) ties for 14th with Milwaukee’s.
Sun., March 22 vs. Adirondack Flames (30-23-6-1) – Van Andel Arena – 4 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 3:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com, free audio available through woodradio.com. All-Time/Season Series: 1-0-0-0 Overall, 0-0-0-0 Home. Second of two meetings overall, first and only meeting ever at Van Andel Arena. NHL Affiliation: Calgary Flames. Head Coach: Ryan Huska (1st season). Notes: Sunday’s meeting will mark the Flames’ first, and only, visit ever to Van Andel Arena, as the franchise is being relocated next season to Stockton, Calif.…Adirondack ranks third in the North Division, ninth in the Western Conference and 18th overall…The Flames have the second-most penalty minutes in the conference with 1,059, and they’re led only by the Charlotte Checkers with 1,121 PIM…Center Drew Shore ranks first on the team in scoring with 37 points (12-25—37) in 47 AHL games this season, but he has spent a majority of his time with the San Antonio Rampage, potting 30 points (9-21—30) in 35 games while with the team. Shore was acquired in a trade by the Calgary Flames on Jan. 9 and was recalled by Calgary on March 2…The Flames’ second-leading scorer, Emile Poirier, is also on recall with Calgary. Poirier has 30 points (14-16—30) in 42 games this season…2013-14 AHL All-Rookie goaltender Joni Ortio is the Flames’ main netminder. In 35 games, Ortio owns a 20-12-1 record, along with four shutouts, a 2.64 goals against average and a 0.914 save percentage.