Setting the Stage
The Griffins clinched their 20th playoff berth (28 postseasons) in 30 seasons with a franchise-best 51-16-4-1 record (.743) and 107 points, claiming first place in the Central Division, first in the Western Conference and second overall in the AHL. After defeating the fourth-seeded Manitoba Moose 3-1, Grand Rapids matches up against the second-seeded Chicago Wolves (36-21-8-7, 87 pts.), who took down the third-seeded Texas Stars 3-2 in the division semifinals. After missing the postseason in both 2023 and 2024, the Wolves return to the division finals for the first time since they won the cup in 2022. Grand Rapids finished the regular season series against Chicago with a 6-3-0-1 record, including 3-2-0-0 at Van Andel Arena and 3-1-0-1 at Allstate Arena. Six of the 10 meetings were decided by one goal and five of them were decided past regulation. The Griffins scored four or more goals in just two of the outings and finished the regular-season series with just a slim plus-two scoring margin (25-23). Chicago registered the lone shutout in the regular season between the two franchises, doing so in a 1-0 victory at Allstate Arena on March 15. Grand Rapids averaged 2.80 goals per game at Chicago and 2.20 goals against the Wolves at Van Andel Arena. Throughout their 30 years as rivals in both the AHL and IHL, the Griffins and Wolves have met in the playoffs six times, with Chicago winning on four occasions. Each time these teams have clashed in the postseason, the winning team has gone on to either win the cup (three times: GR 2017, CHI 2002 and 2000 IHL) or lose to the eventual champion (three times: GR 2003, CHI 2019 and 2004). Over their five previous AHL playoff meetings, the winner reached the Calder Cup Finals three times and won the cup twice. The Griffins and Wolves last met in the playoffs during the 2019 Central Division Semifinals, with Chicago claiming a 3-2 victory. The Griffins are 7-7 at home and 7-8 on the road against Chicago in the postseason. Grand Rapids possesses a 106-90 ledger in the postseason and 22-17 series record, which includes games in the IHL’s Turner Cup Playoffs from 1996-01. The Griffins have an 8-7 mark in a best-of-five series. This is Chicago’s 16th Calder Cup Playoff appearance in 23 seasons, as it has lifted three Calder Cups in 2022, 2008 and 2002. The Wolves are 110-84 in postseason games and have a 27-12 series record. The Wolves’ power play, which ranked 24th in the AHL during the regular season (16.9%), went 3-for-30 (10.0%) against the Griffins. Chicago’s penalty kill finished sixth (84.1%) in the AHL and went 32-for-38 against the Griffins (84.2%). Chicago ranked 15th in the AHL with 3.13 goals per game and tied for 10th with 3.03 goals allowed per contest. Grand Rapids placed second in goals per game with 3.54 and first in goals allowed with 2.21. 

Championship-Caliber Team
With a 5-2 win at the Cleveland Monsters on March 26, the Griffins clinched a division title for the first time since 2014-15, when they won the Midwest, and claimed the Central Division crown for the first time since 2002-03. With three weeks remaining in the regular season, this marked the Griffins’ second-earliest title in franchise history (2002-03 Central—March 9) and their eighth division title overall. Grand Rapids, which has now won six division titles as a member of the AHL, earned the Sam Pollock Trophy for the first time since 2005-06, when it was awarded to the champion of the North Division. With San Jose’s 6-3 win over Colorado on April 3, the Griffins clinched the Western Conference regular-season title. This marked their third regular-season conference championship as members of the AHL (2005-06 & 2002-03) and the fifth in franchise history, including IHL Eastern Conference crowns in 2000-01 and 1999-00. 

GR/MB Series Recap
After dropping Game 1 at Manitoba 1-0, the Griffins went on to win the next three and secured a 3-1 series victory. For the first time ever, they won a best-of-five playoff series in four games after losing Game 1, and they clinched a series on home ice for the first time since the 2017 Calder Cup Finals. Grand Rapids outscored the Moose 11-5, showing 2.75 goals per game while allowing 1.67 goals. The Griffins also outshot Manitoba 131-91 (32.8 vs. 22.8). Finally, the Griffins’ power play finished 4-for-10 (40.0%) and the penalty kill went 8-for-9 (88.9%). Carter Mazur showed a team-best five points and four goals in four outings and John Leonard and Erik Gustafsson led the roster with three assists. In net, rookie Michal Postava logged a 3-1 mark with one shutout, a 1.25 GAA and a .945 save percentage. Grand Rapids’ five total goals allowed against Manitoba tied a franchise record for fewest in a four-game series. Marc Lamothe allowed five to Chicago during the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals, a four-game sweep by the Griffins. 

CHI/TEX Series Recap
Chicago’s series with the Texas Stars went the full five games, with the Wolves winning the decisive Game 5, 6-1, at Allstate Arena. The Wolves split the two games in Texas before returning to Chicago and winning two of the three contests. Two of the five games were decided in overtime. Chicago outscored the Stars 17-13, showing 3.40 goals per game while allowing 2.60 goals. Chicago was outshot by Texas 147-130 (26.0 vs. 29.4). Finally, the Wolves’ power play finished 3-for-18 (16.7%) and the penalty kill went 14-for-16 (87.5%). Ryan Suzuki showed a team-high six points and four goals in five outings and Bradly Nadeau led the roster with four assists. In net, Cayden Primeau went 3-2 with a 2.27 GAA and a .918 save percentage.  

High Stakes
Throughout their 30 years as rivals in both the AHL and IHL, the Griffins and Wolves have met in the playoffs six times, with Chicago winning on four occasions. Each time these teams have clashed in the postseason, the winning team has gone on to either win the cup (three times) or lose to the eventual champion (three times). Over their five previous AHL playoff meetings, the winner reached the Calder Cup Finals three times and won the cup twice.

Last One Standing
The Griffins are the lone division champion remaining in the Calder Cup Playoffs, as they downed the Manitoba Moose 3-1 in the division semifinals. The Providence Bruins, who finished first in the AHL and Atlantic Division, were bounced by the Springfield Thunderbirds in the largest upset in AHL postseason history. The Thunderbirds finished 38 points below the Bruins in the regular season. The Toronto Marlies took care of the Laval Rocket, who were the top seed in the North Division, 3-2. Finally, the top team in the Pacific, the Ontario Reign, were downed 3-2 to the Coachella Valley Firebirds. In addition to three of the four No. 1 seeds being eliminated, only three of the four two-seeds remain in the Chicago Wolves (Central), Colorado Eagles (Pacific) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Atlantic). 

The Promised Land 
On Feb. 27, the Griffins clinched their 20th playoff berth with a 4-1 Hershey Bears victory over the Rockford IceHogs and became the first team to clinch a spot in the postseason. Feb. 27 was the earliest clinching date in team history, surpassing the previous mark of March 6 during the 2003-04 season, and the earliest for an AHL team since 1992-93, when the Binghamton Rangers clinched on Feb. 24 with 24 games remaining. Grand Rapids returns to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season under head coach Dan Watson, after missing the previous two postseasons in 2022 and 2023. The Griffins held at least a share of first place in the Central Division for the entire season and led the entire AHL for much of the campaign.

A Cut Above
There have been 11 different Calder Cup champions since 2011, with Grand Rapids (2017, 2013) and Hershey (2024, 2023) being the only teams to earn multiple championships during that time. The other winners were Abbotsford (2025), Chicago (2022), Charlotte (2019), Toronto (2018), Lake Erie (2016), Manchester (2015), Texas (2014), Norfolk (2012) and Binghamton (2011).

Prior History
The Griffins and Wolves renew a rivalry that dates back to their IHL days in 1996-97. Both franchises joined the AHL in the same season in 2001-02. Since the 1996-97 IHL season, the teams have met a combined 220 times in the regular season, with the Griffins possessing a 110-94-2-8-6 record (.541). The Wolves are the second-most frequent opponent of the Griffins. Grand Rapids and Chicago have met six times in the postseason (AHL & IHL), with the Wolves claiming four of the six series victories. The Griffins and Wolves last met in the playoffs during the 2019 Central Division Semifinals, with Chicago claiming a 3-2 victory. Over their five previous AHL playoff meetings, the winner reached the Calder Cup Finals three times and won the cup twice. All time in the postseason, the Griffins are 7-7 at home and 7-8 on the road against Chicago. 

Hard to Kill 
During the Griffins’ franchise-record run of seven straight playoff appearances from 2013-2019, they won two Calder Cups (2013 and 2017), twice lost to the eventual champion (Texas 2014, Lake Erie 2016), and twice lost to the cup runner-up (Utica 2015, Chicago 2019). During their 15 previous AHL playoff runs, they won those pair of cups, lost to the eventual champion on four occasions, and also lost to the other finalist four times. Including their first five seasons as members of the International Hockey League, the Griffins have qualified for the postseason on 20 prior occasions, winning it all twice, losing six times to the eventual champ, and losing four times to the runner-up.

Bench Boss
Third-year head coach Dan Watson makes his third straight Calder Cup Playoffs appearance. He is the third head coach in franchise history to reach the postseason in each of his first three full years as head coach, joining Jeff Blashill (2012-15) and Todd Nelson (2015-18). Watson, who has never missed the postseason as a pro head coach, has an 8-8 playoff record in three seasons with Grand Rapids, which includes two trips to the division finals (2026, 2024). With the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, Watson went 51-34 (.600) over five postseasons, reaching the Kelly Cup Finals twice (2019 and 2022) and leading Toledo to four Western Conference Finals berths (2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023).

Been There, Done That
Assistant coach Brian Lashoff (2013 and 2017 Grand Rapids) is the lone Griffin to hoist the Calder Cup, while John Leonard reached last year’s Calder Cup Finals with the Charlotte Checkers. Chicago’s Noel Gunler, Ryan Suzuki and goaltending coach Stan Dubicki won the 2022 Calder Cup with the Wolves. Wolves’ head coach Spiros Anastas won the cup as an assistant with the Griffins in 2013. In addition, Chicago’s current assistant general manager Bill Bentley won two Turner Cups (IHL 1998 & 2000) and three Calder Cups (2002, 2008, 2022) all with the Wolves. Finally, Cal Foote won the 2021 Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay but did not see any ice time during the postseason, defeating Erik Gustafsson and the Montreal Canadiens. 

Scouting Chicago
The Wolves are led by Felix Unger Sorum who showed 66 points (17-49--66) in 72 games, leading the team in points, assists, games played and power-play assists (15). Unger Sorum ranks among the AHL leaders in points (T6th) and assists (T3rd). Bradly Nadeau, a 2025-26 AHL All-Star Classic participant, ranked first on the roster with 27 goals in 52 outings, in addition to pacing the team in power-play goals (7) and game-winners (5). On the defensive side of the ice, fellow all-star classic selection Domenick Fensore led all of Chicago’s blueliners in the regular season with 35 points (10-25--35) in 60 games. Cayden Primeau and Amir Miftakhov split time in net for the Wolves. Primeau led the way with a 21-11-7 mark (wins T11th) with four shutouts (T3rd), a 2.41 GAA (T7th) and a .916 save percentage (T4th) in 39 games (T12th). Miftakhov logged a 12-8-7 ledger with two shutouts, a 3.25 GAA and an .888 save percentage in 28 games. Chicago’s top rookie is Evan Vierling who posted 35 points (16-19—35) in 70 contests. In the 2026 postseason, Ryan Suzuki has led the Wolves with six points (4-2--6) and four goals in five games, while Nadeau has a team-high four assists in five outings. In net, Primeau has gone 3-2 in five playoff contests with a 2.27 GAA and a .918 save percentage. The Wolves’ roster consists of four former first-round selections in Cal Foote (14th in 2017 TB), Juuso Valimaki (16th in 2017 CGY), Suzuki (28th in 2019 CAR) and Nadeau (30th in 2023 CAR). The Wolves’ power play, which ranked 24th in the AHL during the regular season (16.9%), went 3-for-30 (10.0%) against the Griffins. Chicago’s penalty kill finished sixth (84.1%) in the AHL and went 32-for-38 against the Griffins (84.2%). Chicago ranked 15th in the AHL with 3.13 goals per game and tied for 10th with 3.03 goals allowed per contest. 

From Friend to Foe
The Griffins and Wolves share a couple connections on championship-winning teams. Sebastian Cossa and Ronan Seeley won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 World Junior Championship. Trey Augustine and Charlie Cerrato won the US U15 Nationals Tier 1 league with Honeybaked U15 AAA in 2021. Wolves head coach Spiros Anastas was a Griffins assistant coach when they lifted the Calder Cup in 2013. Chicago’s Givani Smith was the 46th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2016 and played parts of five seasons with Grand Rapids from 2016-23, totaling 52 points in 148 games. Smith also produced 14 points in 85 games with the Red Wings from 2019-23. Finally, William Lagesson suited up for the Wolves in 2022-23. 

Regular-Season Series Notes
Grand Rapids finished the regular season series against Chicago with a 6-3-0-1 record, including 3-2-0-0 at Van Andel Arena and 3-1-0-1 at Allstate Arena...Six of the 10 meetings were decided by one goal and five of them were decided past regulation...The Griffins scored four or more goals in just two of the outings and finished the regular-season series with just a slim plus-two scoring margin (25-23)...Chicago registered the lone shutout in the regular season between the two franchises, doing so in a 1-0 victory at Allstate Arena on March 15...Grand Rapids averaged 2.80 goals per game at Chicago and 2.20 goals against the Wolves at Van Andel Arena...Amadeus Lombardi led Grand Rapids against Chicago with seven points (3-4—7) in six games, while Justin Robidas (3-3—6 in 8 GP) and Felix Unger Sorum (1-5—6 in 10 GP) tied for the team lead the Wolves against the Griffins with six points...Sheldon Dries and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard both paced Grand Rapids with four goals against Chicago, and Robidas and Domenick Fensore both potted three goals...Lombardi, Tyler Angle, Erik Gustafsson and John Leonard posted a team-high four assists against the Wolves, while Unger Sorum led Chicago with five helpers...Leading each team in net were Michal Postava, who went 3-1-0 with a 1.11 GAA and a .956 SV% in six games, and Chicago’s Cayden Primeau, who showed a 2-1-1 mark with one shutout, a 1.48 GAA and a .948 SV% in four contests...Trey Augustine made his pro debut on April 10 against Chicago (26 saves)...Sebastian Cossa posted a career-high 47 saves on Jan. 2 against Chicago...Gabriel Seger competed in his 100th game as a Griffin on Jan. 31 at Chicago...John Leonard registered his 100th AHL assist on Jan. 3 at the Wolves...Michael Brandsegg-Nygard scored his first-career AHL regular-season goal at Chicago on Nov. 9...Eddie Genborg recorded his first AHL point with a primary assist on the overtime-winner on March 28 against the Wolves.

The Champs are Here
The Griffins’ roster is composed of numerous coaches and players who have either reached a playoff final or won a title for their respective pro, college, junior or national team(s). Most recently, Eddie Genborg won a gold medal with Team Sweden at this year’s World Junior Championship, Trey Augustine won the Big Ten regular-season title at Michigan State, John Leonard reached last year’s Calder Cup Finals with Charlotte, and Michal Postava won the 2025 Czech Extraliga title with Kometa Brno.

Tale of the Tape

Here’s how the two rivals stacked up in key categories during the regular season: 

Grand Rapids, Chicago

Overall Record: 51-16-4-1, 107 pts. (1st Central, 2nd AHL), 36-21-8-7, 87 pts. (2nd Central, 11th AHL)
Home Record: 24-9-3-0, 51 pts. (4th), 20-10-3-3, 46 pts. (11th)      
Road Record: 27-7-1-1, 56 pts. (1st), 16-11-5-4, 41 pts. (10th)
Power Play:  42-for-224, 18.8% (15th), 40-for-237, 16.9% (24th)
Penalty Killing:  178-for-207, 86.0% (1st), 211-for-251, 84.1% (6th)
Penalty Minutes:  10.54 avg. (30th), 12.75 avg. (17th)
Goals For:  3.54 avg. (2nd), 3.13 avg. (15th)
Goals Against: 2.21 avg. (1st), 3.03 avg. (T10th)
Shots For: 28.46 avg. (13th), 28.39 avg. (14th)
Shots Against: 27.63 avg. (10th), 29.06 avg. (T21st)

Team Leaders

Games Played: Gabriel Seger (70), Felix Unger Sorum (72)
Goals: John Leonard (33), Bradly Nadeau (27)
Assists: Erik Gustafsson (33), Unger Sorum (49)
Points: Leonard (54), Unger Sorum (66)
Plus/Minus: William Lagesson (+33), Justin Robidas (+20)
Penalty Minutes: Austin Watson (146), Yanick Turcotte (130)
Power Play Goals: Sheldon Dries and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (7), Nadeau (7)
Shorthanded Goals: Leonard (5) (T1st AHL), Robidas (2)
Game-Winning Goals: Leonard and Brandsegg-Nygard (8), Nadeau (5)
Wins: Sebastian Cossa (26), Cayden Primeau (21)
Shutouts: Cossa (5), Primeau (4)
Goals Against Avg.: Michal Postava (1.71), Primeau (2.41)
Save Percentage: Postava (.937), Primeau (.916)

2025-26 Griffins vs. Wolves Head-to-Head

Grand Rapids, Chicago

Overall Record: 6-3-0-1, 4-2-2-2
Home Record: 3-2-0-0, 2-2-0-1
Road Record: 3-1-0-1, 2-0-2-1
Power Play:  6-for-38, 15.8%, 3-for-30, 10.0%
Penalty Kill: 27-for-30, 90.0%, 32-for-38, 84.2%
Goals For: 25, 2.50 avg., 23, 2.30 avg.
Shots For: 286, 28.6 avg., 290, 29.0 avg.

Lord Stanley
The Stanley Cup Playoffs began with 13 of the 16 teams having a Griffins alum among their player or hockey operations ranks. 

*Still alive in Stanley Cup Playoffs as of press time. 

2025-26 Game-by-Game Recaps

Nov. 9 – Wolves 4, Griffins 3 SO  – Allstate Arena
Though the Griffins extended their point streak to nine games (8-0-0-1), the squad ultimately suffered its first defeat of the season 4-3 in a shootout to the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena. The Griffins’ 8-0-0-1 start through nine games remains the best start in franchise history and best start on the road since 2007-08. All three goals for Grand Rapids came on the power play, going 3-for-5 on the man-advantage. 
First Period: 1, Chicago, Robidas 3   10:07 (SH). Penalties-Heimosalmi Chi (interference), 8:45; Bantle Gr (goaltender interference), 11:25; Ryabkin Chi (cross-checking), 14:24. 
Second Period: 2, Grand Rapids, Dries 3 (Leonard, Mitchell), 5:35 (PP). 3, Chicago, Nadeau 3 (Robidas, Suzuki), 7:19. 4, Chicago, Vierling 3   11:53 (SH). 5, Grand Rapids, Watson 3 (Wallinder, Angle), 12:39 (PP). Penalties-Gunler Chi (high-sticking), 4:55; Suzuki Chi (slashing), 10:53; Watson Gr (tripping), 18:14. 
Third Period: 6, Grand Rapids, Brandsegg-Nygård 1 (Lombardi, Dries), 4:04 (PP). Penalties-Ryabkin Chi (hooking), 2:38; Rychlovský Gr (goaltender interference), 11:48. 
OT: No Scoring.Penalties-Lombardi Gr (tripping), 3:39. 
SO: Grand Rapids 1 (Lombardi NG, Leonard G, Brandsegg-Nygård NG), Chicago 2 (Vierling G, Nadeau G). 
Shots: GR 33 (9-11-13-0-0), CHI 30 (7-11-10-1-1)
Goalies: GR Postava (ND, 4-4) & Gylander (SOL, 22-25), CHI Khazheyev (SOW, 30-33) 
PP: GR 3-5, CHI 0-4

Dec. 14 – Wolves 1, Griffins 2 SO – Allstate Arena 
Claiming the best start in AHL history through 24 games (22-1-0-1, 45 pts.), the Griffins came from behind to tie the contest in the final period, and downed the Chicago Wolves 2-1 in shootout fashion at Allstate Arena. The Griffins surpassed the 2005-06 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins’ 20-1-2-1 start for the best in AHL history through 24 games, and stood as the only team in league history to win 22 of their first 24 contests. Grand Rapids tied the third-longest win streak in franchise history with their 11th straight. Jakub Rychlovsky had the game-tying goal late in the final frame, while John Leonard bagged the game-winner in the shootout. 
First Period: No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties 
Second Period: 1, Chicago, Robidas 9 (Nadeau, Fensore), 1:11. Penalties-Nadeau Chi (tripping), 4:30; Mitchell Gr (holding), 8:29; Bayreuther Chi (tripping), 9:12. 
Third Period: 2, Grand Rapids, Rychlovský 3 (Angle, Wallinder), 18:48. Penalties-Tuomisto Gr (tripping), 7:17; Heimosalmi Chi (cross-checking), 16:03. 
OT: No Scoring.Penalties-Fensore Chi (hooking), 0:52. 
SO: Grand Rapids 1 (Leonard G, Becher NG), Chicago 0 (Nadeau NG, Vierling NG, Unger Sörum NG). 
Shots: GR 27 (9-3-7-7-1), CHI 29 (16-8-4-1-0)
Goalies: GR Gylander (SOW, 28-29), CHI Primeau (SOL, 25-26)
PP: GR 0-4, CHI 0-2

Jan. 2 – Griffins 3, Wolves 2 SO – Van Andel Arena
Sebastian Cossa recorded a career-high 47 saves and shut down both attempts in the shootout, en route to the Griffins’ 3-2 victory over the Chicago Wolves at Van Andel Arena. Improving to 27-1-1-1, the Griffins’ 56 points stood as the best in the AHL’s 90-year history through 30 games, previously held by the 2005-06 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (24-3-2-1, 51 pts.), and their 17-game point streak became the third-longest in franchise history. 
First Period: 1, Grand Rapids, Brandsegg-Nygård 8 (Leonard, Angle), 14:34. 2, Chicago, Gunler 3 (Brind’Amour), 19:16. Penalties-Watson Gr (slashing), 0:32; Ryabkin Chi (high-sticking), 2:30; Wallinder Gr (high-sticking), 11:35. 
Second Period: No Scoring.Penalties-Hillebrand Gr (holding the stick), 5:53; Vierling Chi (holding), 9:13; Brandsegg-Nygård Gr (tripping), 19:17. 
Third Period: 3, Chicago, Robidas 12 (Nadeau, Suzuki), 10:09. 4, Grand Rapids, Tuomisto 6 (Gustafsson, Rychlovský), 17:46. Penalties-Shine Gr (roughing), 18:38. 
OT: No Scoring.Penalties-Rychlovský Gr (goaltender interference), 2:24; Gustafsson Gr (instigating, fighting, game misconduct - instigator (last 5:00)), 5:00. 
SO: Chicago 0 (Nadeau NG, Gunler NG), Grand Rapids 2 (Leonard G, Brandsegg-Nygård NG, Shine G). 
Shots: GR 25 (7-10-7-0-1), CHI 49 (13-14-18-4-0)
Goalies: GR Cossa (SOW, 47-49), CHI Miftakhov (SOL, 22-24)
PP: GR 0-2, CHI 0-6

Jan. 3 – Wolves 1, Griffins 4 – Allstate Arena
Securing a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena, the Griffins extended their point streak to 18 games (17-0-1-0) to tie the second-longest run in franchise history. The Griffins continued their best start in the league’s 90-year history and improved to 28-1-1-1 with 58 points in 31 games. 
First Period: 1, Grand Rapids, Tralmaks 14 (Kannok Leipert, Rychlovský), 5:38. Penalties-Hillebrand Gr (holding), 18:41. 
Second Period: 2, Grand Rapids, Dries 11 (Holl, Leonard), 2:18. 3, Chicago, Fensore 5 (Heimosalmi, Vierling), 9:59. 4, Grand Rapids, Hillebrand 2 (Angle, Doucet), 14:21. Penalties-Ryabkin Chi (high-sticking), 12:12. 
Third Period: 5, Grand Rapids, Watson 7   17:45 (EN). Penalties-Heimosalmi Chi (boarding), 6:48; Watson Gr (slashing), 10:45; Bayreuther Chi (interference), 13:11. 
Shots: GR 30 (14-9-7), CHI 22 (11-9-2)
Goalies: GR Postava (W, 21-22), CHI Primeau (L, 26-29)
PP: GR 0-3, CHI 0-2

Jan. 30 – Griffins 2, Wolves 5 – Van Andel Arena
Despite scoring the game’s final two goals, the Griffins fell 5-2 to the Chicago Wolves at Van Andel Arena. The Griffins’ 32-6-2-1 record to go with 67 points remained the best in the league.  
First Period: 1, Chicago, Välimäki 2 (Suzuki, Unger Sörum), 4:11 (PP). 2, Chicago, Brind’Amour 13 (Gunler, Slavin), 4:29. 3, Chicago, Nadeau 18 (Robidas, Seeley), 13:36. Penalties-Leonard Gr (tripping), 3:25; Vierling Chi (hooking), 9:04. 
Second Period: 4, Chicago, Vierling 12 (Nyström, Unger Sörum), 9:36. 5, Chicago, Suzuki 9 (Nadeau, Robidas), 16:20 (PP). Penalties-Watson Gr (slashing), 15:25; Fensore Chi (tripping), 18:40. 
Third Period: 6, Grand Rapids, Tralmaks 17 (Lagesson, Seger), 4:32. 7, Grand Rapids, Lombardi 4   19:50. Penalties-Vierling Chi (delay of game), 5:21; Gagnon Chi (hooking), 9:19. 
Shots: GR 33 (10-7-16), CHI 20 (5-13-2)
Goalies: GR Cossa (L, 13-18), CHI Primeau (W, 31-33)
PP: GR 0-4, CHI 2-2

Jan. 31 – Wolves 2, Griffins 5 – Allstate Arena
Behind a three-point night from Amadeus Lombardi (1-2—3), the Griffins jumped back in the win column and defeated the Chicago Wolves 5-2 at Allstate Arena. Nine Griffins recorded a point in the contest, and Dominik Shine (1-1—2) notched his ninth multi-point contest this season. 
First Period: 1, Chicago, Välimäki 3 (Gunler, Gagnon), 3:13. 2, Grand Rapids, Shine 15 (Danielson), 12:14. 3, Grand Rapids, Lombardi 5 (Holl), 13:36. Penalties-Shine Gr (cross-checking), 7:17. 
Second Period: 4, Grand Rapids, Doucet 4 (Lagesson), 8:02. 5, Chicago, Fensore 7 (Unger Sörum, Heimosalmi), 8:29. Penalties-Brind’Amour Chi (hooking), 11:15; Shine Gr (roughing), 20:00. 
Third Period: 6, Grand Rapids, Dries 15 (Lombardi, Shine), 13:43 (PP). 7, Grand Rapids, Watson 9 (Lombardi, Tralmaks), 16:04. Penalties-Pavlychev Chi (cross-checking), 11:54; served by Gunler Chi (unsportsmanlike conduct - bench minor), 16:04; Dries Gr (roughing, roughing), 16:33; Lombardi Gr (roughing, roughing), 16:33; Foote Chi (roughing, cross-checking), 16:33; Slavin Chi (roughing, roughing), 16:33. 
Shots: GR 27 (11-10-6), CHI 26 (7-14-5)
Goalies: GR Postava (W, 24-26), CHI Miftakhov (L, 22-27)
PP: GR 1-3, CHI 0-2

Feb. 20 – Griffins 2, Wolves 1 OT – Van Andel Arena 
Amadeus Lombardi (1-1—2) potted the game-winner in overtime to propel the Griffins to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves at Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids tallied its seventh win in its last eight outings, and bettered its league-best record to 39-7-2-1 with 81 points through 49 contests. 
First Period: No Scoring.Penalties-Shine Gr (slashing), 19:39. 
Second Period: 1, Grand Rapids, Brandsegg-Nygård 10 (Kannok Leipert, Lombardi), 2:29. Penalties-Trikozov Chi (high-sticking), 8:18; Brandsegg-Nygård Gr (high-sticking), 17:28. 
Third Period: 2, Chicago, Seeley 4 (Pavlychev, Philp), 12:48. Penalties-Trikozov Chi (interference), 3:35; Rychlovský Gr (hooking), 9:59; Philp Chi (delay of game), 13:50.
OT: 3, Grand Rapids, Lombardi 7 (Mitchell), 3:12. Penalties-No Penalties 
Shots: GR 22 (6-9-5-2), CHI 32 (10-12-8-2)
Goalies: GR Postava (OTW, 31-32), CHI Miftakhov (OTL, 20-22)
PP: GR 0-3, CHI 0-3

March 15 – Wolves 1, Griffins 0 – Allstate Arena
The Chicago Wolves tallied the only goal in the first period to shut out the Griffins 1-0 at Allstate Arena. The Griffins went 4-for-4 on their league-leading penalty kill and 0-for-6 on the power play.  
First Period: 1, Chicago, Smith 2 (Nyström, Brind’Amour), 12:29. Penalties-Brind’Amour Chi (tripping), 4:13; Jutting Gr (tripping), 9:50; Milne Gr (roughing), 15:49; Badinka Chi (roughing, roughing), 15:49. 
Second Period: No Scoring.Penalties-Philp Chi (high-sticking), 0:16; Gustafsson Gr (fighting), 6:24; Pavlychev Chi (fighting), 6:24; Watson Gr (fighting), 6:33; Smith Chi (fighting), 6:33; Becher Gr (holding), 9:18; Gunler Chi (tripping), 12:22; Watson Gr (holding), 14:21. 
Third Period: No Scoring.Penalties-Dufour Gr (hooking), 3:22; Philp Chi (holding), 7:01; Brind’Amour Chi (delay of game), 14:14. 
Shots: GR 28 (7-10-11), CHI 28 (12-11-5)
Goalies: GR Postava (L, 27-28), CHI Primeau (W, SO, 28-28)
PP: GR 0-6, CHI 0-4

March 28 – Griffins 3, Wolves 2 OT – Van Andel Arena
Sheldon Dries (1-1—2) earned the overtime-winner and extended his point streak to three games, as the Griffins defeated the Chicago Wolves 3-2 at Van Andel Arena.  
First Period: 1, Chicago, Fensore 10 (Foote), 12:39. 2, Chicago, Nyström 1 (Unger Sörum, Pavlychev), 13:27. Penalties-Legault Chi (tripping), 10:17. 
Second Period: No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties 
Third Period: 3, Grand Rapids, Tralmaks 22 (Tuomisto, Stachowiak), 7:10. 4, Grand Rapids, Sandin-Pellikka 2 (Gustafsson, Dries), 18:00 (PP). Penalties-Turcotte Chi (hooking), 5:00; Tuomisto Gr (tripping), 7:29; Vierling Chi (tripping), 17:27; Tralmaks Gr (interference), 18:29. 
OT: 5, Grand Rapids, Dries 21 (Genborg, Gustafsson), 3:08. Penalties-No Penalties 
Shots: GR 34 (9-10-14-1), CHI 24 (7-13-4-0)
Goalies: GR Cossa (OTW, 22-24), CHI Miftakhov (OTL, 31-34)
PP: GR 1-3, CHI 0-2

April 10 – Griffins 1, Wolves 4 – Van Andel Arena
The Chicago Wolves recorded three goals in the final period to take down the Griffins 4-1 at Van Andel Arena. South Lyon, Michigan, native and former Michigan State Spartan Trey Augustine made his professional debut and recorded 26 saves, while Michael Brandsegg-Nygard potted the Griffins’ only goal to extend his point streak to four (3-3—6). 
First Period: 1, Grand Rapids, Brandsegg-Nygård 20 (Gustafsson, Leonard), 2:10 (PP). 2, Chicago, Philp 4 (Unger Sörum, Seeley), 15:10 (SH). Penalties-Foote Chi (hooking), 1:47; Heimosalmi Chi (slashing), 5:27; Trikozov Chi (delay of game), 14:59. 
Second Period: No Scoring.Penalties-Ryabkin Chi (holding), 15:57; Brandsegg-Nygård Gr (interference), 17:49. 
Third Period: 3, Chicago, Suzuki 13 (Gunler, Vierling), 1:31. 4, Chicago, Philp 5 (Seeley, Pavlychev), 8:23 (PP). 5, Chicago, Unger Sörum 15   18:38 (EN). Penalties-Buium Gr (holding), 7:07; Leonard Gr (roughing), 11:25; Heimosalmi Chi (high-sticking), 14:42. 
Shots: GR 27 (8-14-5), CHI 30 (7-11-12)
Goalies: GR Augustine (L, 26-29), CHI Kochetkov (ND, 7-8) & Miftakhov (W, 19-19)
PP: GR 1-5, CHI 1-3

Click here to read the 2025-26 regular-season review. 

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins