This Week’s Games

GRIFFINS (40-7-2-1) vs. Manitoba Moose (23-18-4-1) // Wed., Feb. 25 // 7 p.m. // Van Andel Arena

Listen: WOOD 106.9 FM & 1300 AM at 6:45 p.m.

Watch: AHLTV on FloHockey 

Season Series: 4-1-0-0 Overall, 3-0-0-0 Home. Sixth of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at Van Andel Arena  

All-Time Series: 84-48-1-1-10 Overall, 45-21-1-1-7 Home

NHL Affiliation: Winnipeg Jets

Noteworthy: The Griffins can clinch a spot in the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs with a win against Manitoba. The earliest clinching date in franchise history is March 6 during the 2003-04 season. 

GRIFFINS vs. Iowa Wild (15-29-4-1) // Fri., Feb. 27 // 7 p.m. // Van Andel Arena
GRIFFINS vs. Iowa Wild // Sat., Feb. 28 // 7 p.m. // Van Andel Arena 

Listen: 96.1 The Game at 6:45 p.m. on Friday and WOOD 106.9 FM & 1300 AM at 7 p.m. on Saturday

Watch: AHLTV on FloHockey on Friday and WXSP-TV and AHLTV on FloHockey on Saturday

Season Series: 5-0-0-0 Overall, 2-0-0-0 Home. Sixth and seventh of eight meetings overall, third and fourth of four at Van Andel Arena 

All-Time Series: 59-26-6-4 Overall, 28-11-5-3 Home

NHL Affiliation: Minnesota Wild

Noteworthy: Iowa is on a two-game win streak and is 5-4-1-0 in its last 10 games. Grand Rapids is 24-11-2-2 in the last five seasons against the Wild.  

Are We Talking About Playoffs?: The Griffins enter the week with a magic number of two to clinch a playoff berth and can clinch this Wednesday with a win over Manitoba. The earliest clinching date in team history for Grand Rapids was March 6 (2003-04 season). The Griffins have led the Central Division for the entire season, and are 20 points above second-place Chicago and 41 points up on a playoff spot. The Griffins also have a six-point advantage over the Providence Bruins in the race for the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, awarded to the AHL's regular-season champions. Grand Rapids is 31-5-2-1 against its division rivals and has outscored them 139-77, suffering its first regulation defeat against the division on Jan. 9 against Texas. The Griffins’ 31 wins are the most divisional victories since 2018-19 (31-20-5-2). Seventeen of the remaining 22 games for Grand Rapids will be against the Central Division (77.3%). The Griffins will see the most games against the Rockford IceHogs (5) followed by the Milwaukee Admirals (4).

Back in the Groove: The Griffins dropped six of 10 games from Jan. 7-30 but have since returned to form, showing an 8-1-0-0 record with a plus-16 margin (33-17) from Jan. 31-Feb. 21. Grand Rapids has scored at least four goals in six of its last nine contests and has allowed more than two goals just twice. The Griffins have continued their league-record start with a 40-7-2-1 ledger and 83 points through 50 games, surpassing the 1992-93 Binghamton Rangers (38-6-6, 82 pts.) for the best start through 50 games in the AHL’s 90-year history. The team saw its franchise-record tying 15-game win streak from Nov. 22-Dec. 27 come to an end in overtime on Dec. 31, which also tied for the sixth-longest run in AHL history. In addition, the Griffins’ 19-game point streak from Nov. 22-Jan. 7 (18-0-1-0) ended on Jan. 9, which tied for the longest run in franchise history (see table). The Griffins are 19-2-1-1 on the road and 21-5-1-0 at home. The 17-game points streak on the road from Oct. 10-Jan. 23 (15-0-1-1) set a new AHL record, eclipsing the 2010-11 Milwaukee Admirals’ 16-game run (10-0-4-2). Grand Rapids ranks first in the AHL in points (83), has a 20-point cushion over Chicago for first place in the Central Division, and is 41 points up on a playoff spot. 

The Lombardi Trophy: Amadeus Lombardi posted five points (3-2—5) in two games last weekend, which included an overtime-winner in both contests. He became just the third player in Griffins history to score an overtime goal in consecutive games, joining Turner Elson and Filip Hronek. Lombardi’s three OT goals this campaign tie the Griffins’ single-season record, and his four-career OT-winners are tied for fourth in franchise history. He enjoyed a three-game point streak (1-2—3) from Feb. 7-15 and now has 12 points (6-6—12) in his last 10 outings. The third-year pro was sidelined for 20 straight games from Nov. 22-Jan. 9 due to rehabbing an injury. Since his return on Jan. 13, Lombardi has 14 points (6-8—14) in 17 games. Last season, the Aurora, Ontario, native, logged a career-high 40 points (19-21—40) in 44 games with the Griffins. With Grand Rapids since the spring of 2023, Lombardi has 95 points (33-62—95) in 146 outings. He was the 113th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Record Setters: Below is a list of team and league records that the Griffins have either set or tied this season. 
- Best record in AHL history through 25 games (23-1-0-1, 47 pts.), 30 games (27-1-1-1, 56 pts.), 40 games (32-5-2-1, 67 pts.) and 50 games (40-7-2-1, 83 pts.), while tying for the best start through 35 games (29-3-2-1, 61 pts.)
- Tied second-best record in AHL history through 45 games (35-7-2-1, 73 pts.)
- Reached the 60-point mark in just 32 games, three games faster than any team in AHL history
- AHL record 17-game road points streak from Oct. 10-Jan. 23 (15-0-1-1)
- Tied franchise-record 15-game winning streak from Nov. 22-Dec. 27, which also tied for sixth-longest in AHL history
- Tied franchise-record 19-game points streak from Nov. 22-Jan. 7 (18-0-1-0)
- Franchise-record start with an 8-0 record and was the league’s last undefeated team for first time since 2000-01 IHL season
- Started 6-0 at home for first time since 2009-10 (8-0)
- Franchise record for largest margin of victory (9) on Nov. 25 at Texas (10-1 W) 
- Franchise record for fewest shots in a game (10) on Jan. 17 versus Milwaukee

Untouchables: Below are statistical categories in which the Griffins are undefeated in regulation.
- 29-0 when scoring the game’s first goal
- 18-0 when leading after the first period
- 28-0 when leading after the second period 
- 7-0 in games decided by four or more goals
- 16-0 when allowing one goal or less
- 33-0-1-1 when scoring at least three goals
- 23-0-0-1 when scoring a power-play goal
- 6-0-1-0 when scoring a shorthanded goal
- 1-0-0-1 when allowing a shorthanded goal
- 1-0 when recording 10-19 shots
- 3-0 when allowing 10-19 shots

Olympic Update: Eduards Tralmaks concluded his Olympics with Team Latvia with four points (3-1—4) in four games, pacing the team in points and goals. Tralmaks finished the tournament in a tie for eighth in goals scored. At least one active Griffin has been loaned to his country’s national team in six of the last seven Olympics. Of those seven players, Tralmaks was by far the most productive on the world stage, equaling the goal total of the other six combined (see table). In addition, Dylan Larkin won gold with Team USA and made it three straight Olympics and four overall in which a former Griffin won gold and the sixth straight Olympics that at least one of the alumni medaled. Tralmaks, a native of Riga, Latvia, has 24 points (18-6—24), six penalty minutes and a plus-19 rating in 44 games with the Griffins this season. When he joined Team Latvia, he ranked among the Griffins leaders in goals (2nd), points (5th), and plus-minus rating (T2nd), while tying for 14th in the AHL in goals and plus-minus rating. Tralmaks has competed for Team Latvia at the two previous World Championships in 2024 and 2025, showing a combined nine points (4-5—9) in 14 games. At last year's World Championship, Tralmaks led Latvia in points (3-4—7) and assists, while ranking second in goals in seven games. Also in 2024-25, he potted one goal in three Olympic qualifying games with Latvia.

Shine On, Captain: Captain Dominik Shine has seven points (6-1—7) in his last five games. He was named the Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 15, 2026, when he logged five goals, 13 shots and a plus-six rating in two games. He also began the week competing in his first-career AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois. In last a 5-0 win against Texas on Feb. 15, Shine collected his second hat trick of the season and surpassed Mitch Callahan for the third-most goals in franchise history (95), securing his first-ever 20-goal campaign. The 32-year-old has 36 points (21-15—36) in 36 games with 36 penalty minutes and a career-high plus-24 rating, ranking second on the team in points, goals and plus-minus rating. In the AHL rankings, the Detroit native is tied for 10th in goals and tied for seventh in plus-minus rating. On the all-time regular-season franchise leaderboard, Shine ranks third in games played (520), third in goals (96), seventh in assists (124), fourth in points (220), fifth in penalty minutes (589), tied for fifth in shorthanded goals (6), tied for third in game-winners (15), tied for first in unassisted goals (10), and third in shots (896).  

What’s The Password?: The Griffins’ defense remains the best in the AHL, as it ranks first with 1.92 goals allowed per contest. Grand Rapids posted its eighth shutout of the season on Feb. 15 against Texas, which are the most since 2016-17 (8). The Griffins shut out their opponent in two straight games from Jan. 17-21 in addition to posting consecutive shutouts from Dec. 21-27. Prior to this season, the last time Grand Rapids logged two straight shutouts was Feb. 15-17, 2018. The Griffins have allowed more than two goals just 13 times all season (26.0%) and have averaged 1.60 goals allowed in their last five outings. In addition, the team’s penalty kill is first in the AHL at 86.5%. In net, Sebastian Cossa sports a 1.95 GAA with a .928 save percentage and five shutouts, while rookie netminder Michal Postava possesses a 1.70 GAA, a .939 save percentage and two shutouts. The Griffins have four defensemen who have played at least 100 games in the NHL in Erik Gustafsson (517) (currently with Detroit), Justin Holl (396), Ian Mitchell (110), and William Lagesson (107), totaling 1,130 appearances. 

Be Like Mike: Rookie forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard has two goals in his last three appearances and four points (2-2—4) in his last six games. From Jan. 3-Feb. 6, the former first-round selection had just three points (0-3—3) in 14 contests, and, prior to Feb. 18, his last goal was on Jan. 2 (17-game drought). The Oslo, Norway, native, has 28 points (10-18—28), 28 penalty minutes and a plus-18 rating in 45 games with Grand Rapids. Brandsegg-Nygard ranks among the AHL rookie leaders in game-winners (6, 1st), assists (T9th), points (T12th), and plus-minus rating (T4th). He was one of three rookies to make the Detroit Red Wings’ opening-night roster out of training camp and showed one assist in nine games before being assigned to the Griffins on Oct. 27.

Back to Normal: Grand Rapids was held to under three goals in seven of nine games from Jan. 9-30 but has since scored at least four goals in six of its last nine contests since Jan. 31, averaging 3.67 goals per game. The Griffins have returned to first in the AHL with 3.48 goals per game after a slow January. The team has outscored its opponents 174-96 and is 29-0 when scoring the game’s first goal. The Griffins have outscored their opponents 81-46 at home, while possessing a 93-50 advantage on the road. Grand Rapids has its largest scoring margin against its opponents in the third period (69-32). John Leonard leads the team and ranks second in the AHL with 26 goals, while Dominik Shine ranks second on the roster with 21 and Sheldon Dries and Eduards Tralmaks are tied for third with 18. 

The Brick Wall: Sebastian Cossa, the 15th overall pick in 2021, collected his fifth shutout of the season on Feb. 15 against Texas with 26 saves. His career-high five shutouts are the most by a Griffin since 2015-16 (Jared Coreau). Cossa has a 23-4-2 record with a 1.95 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. He enjoyed a career-high 10-game win streak from Nov. 25-Dec. 27, showing a 1.51 GAA and a .939 save percentage, and a 14-game point streak from Nov. 25-Jan. 13 (12-0-2). In the AHL rankings, Cossa places second in GAA, second in save percentage, tied for first in shutouts, first in wins and seventh in minutes played (1719:01). Cossa won two straight AHL Goaltender of the Month awards (November and December), becoming the first netminder in franchise history to receive the honor twice in the same season. The 23-year-old also became just the third goaltender in team history to win the award twice in any fashion, joining Jared Coreau (Feb. 2018, Dec. 2015) and Jimmy Howard (Dec. 2007, March 2006). In parts of four seasons with Grand Rapids since 2022-23, Cossa has notched a 67-29-16 mark with eight shutouts to go along with a 2.37 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 113 outings, becoming just the sixth netminder to reach the century mark with the team.

Just Getting Started: Rookie netminder Michal Postava tied a franchise record by becoming the 10th netminder in team history to post back-to-back shutouts from Jan. 17-21. He collected his first AHL shutout on Jan. 17 with 10 saves in a 2-0 victory over Milwaukee and followed that performance with a 19-save blanking of Milwaukee on Jan. 21. His 10 saves on Jan. 17 set a new franchise record for fewest in a shutout. Postava logged a shutout streak of 156:20 from Jan. 9-25, which was 3:47 short of breaking the franchise record by Jared Coreau in 2014-15 (160:06). After beginning the campaign 5-0, the 23-year-old suffered his first AHL defeat on Jan. 9 against Texas. Postava is now 10-3-0 with a 1.70 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage in 15 games. Last season, Postava became a Czech Extraliga champion with Kometa Brno, showing a league-best .940 save percentage with a 1.97 GAA and a 10-7 record in 17 playoff games. During the regular season with Kometa Brno, Postava ranked among the Czech Extraliga leaders in save percentage (.921, 5th), GAA (2.39, 11th), wins (23, 4th), games played (42, T2nd) and shutouts (3, T7th). As an undrafted free agent, Postava signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings last summer.    

AHL Leaderboard Tracker:  
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard—Tied for second in game-winners (6), tied for ninth among rookies in assists (18), tied for 12th among rookies in points (28), tied for fourth among rookies in plus-minus (+18), eighth among rookies in shots (100), first among rookies in game-winners (6)
Sebastian Cossa—Second in GAA (1.95), second in save percentage (.928), tied for first in shutouts (5), first in wins (23), tied for eighth in games played (29), seventh in minutes played (1719:01)
Sheldon Dries—Tied for 11th in power-play goals (7)
x Erik Gustafsson—Tied for 13th among defensemen in plus-minus (+18), tied for ninth among defensemen in power-play goals (2)
Justin Holl—Tied for 11th among defensemen in plus-minus (+19)
Alex Kannok Leipert—Tied for fifth in shorthanded assists (2), tied for third among defensemen in shorthanded assists (2)
William Lagesson—Third in plus-minus (+27), second among defensemen in plus-minus (+27)
John Leonard—Second in goals (26), tied for second in shorthanded goals (3), first in game-winners (8)
Amadeus Lombardi—Tied for 14th in game-winners (4)
Ian Mitchell—Tied for 13th in plus-minus (+22), tied for fifth among defensemen in plus-minus (+22)
Dominik Shine—Tied for 10th in goals (21), tied for seventh in plus-minus (+24)
Antti Tuomisto—Tied for 15th in plus-minus (+21), tied for seventh among defensemen in plus-minus (+21)
Austin Watson—Sixth in penalty minutes (123)

Milestones: In a 3-2 win over Cleveland last Wednesday, Austin Watson competed in his 100th game as a Griffin. 
Amadeus Lombardi—Five points from 100 as a Griffin
Ian Mitchell—Two assists from 100 as a pro 
Dominik Shine—Four goals from 100 as a Griffin, one unassisted goal from claiming sole possession of the franchise record of 11
Austin Watson—One assist from 150 as a pro 

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins