Griffins Sport #37 * House Sport #18 * AHL Sport #570
Season Collection: 4-1-0-1 House Collection: 2-0-0-1 Highway Collection: 2-1-0-0
All-Time Collection: 77-40-9-14 All-Time House Collection: 44-18-4-4 All-Time Highway Collection: 33-22-5-10
Monsters at Griffins
Seventh of eight conferences total, fourth of 4 at Van Andel Area…The Griffins are on a five-game level streak towards Cleveland with a plus-10 scoring margin…Grand Rapids has factors in 25 out of the final 31 video games total (17-6-4-4, .677) towards Cleveland…For the reason that 2020-21 season, the Griffins are 23-9-4-4 (.675) towards Cleveland and have outscored them 130-98. At house throughout that span, Grand Rapids is 13-2-3-2 (.775) towards the Monsters with a plus-25 scoring margin (72-47)…The Griffins are 4-4-1-1 of their final 10 video games and the Monsters are 5-4-0-1 of their final 10…Cleveland is 12-6-0-0 on the street this yr and Grand Rapids is 10-6-1-1 at house…Cleveland’s energy play ranks sixth within the AHL at 20.6% and its penalty kill locations twenty first at 81.7%…The Griffins’ energy play ranks tenth at 18.6% and their penalty kills locations ninth at 84.6%…On Dec. 1, the Griffins halted the Monsters’ franchise-record 10-game win streak…The Monsters are the third-most frequent opponent of the Griffins, as this recreation marks the 141st assembly between the 2 franchises…Cleveland ranks twelfth with 3.16 objectives per recreation and tied for 18th in objectives towards per recreation (3.03)…Cleveland can be with out the AHL’s main scorer Luca Del Bel Belluz (17-30—37 in 34 GP) attributable to recall to Columbus…All-time towards Grand Rapids, Trey Repair-Wolansky has 33 factors (13-20—33) in 31 video games, which incorporates 27 factors (9-18—27) in his final 19 conferences towards the Griffins. For the reason that 2021-22 season, Rocco Grimaldi has posted 28 factors (9-19—28) in his final 27 video games towards the Griffins…Head coach Dan Watson suited up for the Cleveland Barons from 2002-04 and calls Cleveland house through the offseason…Tim Gettinger is a local of Cleveland and performed for the Cleveland Barons’ U14-16 AAA groups within the T1EHL from 2011-14 earlier than becoming a member of the OHL.
Final Time Out
The Griffins earned some extent however fell to the Cleveland Monsters 5-4 in a shootout on Friday at Van Andel Area. The shootout loss was the primary for the Griffins this season, as they sported a 4-0 file within the expertise competitors heading into the sport. Alex Doucet posted his fourth multi-point outing of the season (1-1—2) alongside Shai Buium’s first of the yr (0-2—2). Sheldon Dries earned his 250th skilled level together with his thirteenth purpose of the marketing campaign and Austin Watson collected his eleventh of the season. An help from Elmer Soderblom marked his fifth level within the final 4 video games (2-3—5) and his eighth within the final 9 (3-5—8). The 26 pictures by the Griffins within the opening interval had been probably the most ever recorded in a interval by both the Griffins or their opponent, spanning 2,359 mixed common season (2,170) and playoff (189) video games.
This Date in Griffins Historical past
2006: Donald MacLean’s second consecutive hat trick ties an AHL file, units a franchise mark and sends the Griffins on to their fifth straight win, a 6-3 overcome Iowa. Along with his team-record fourth hat trick of the marketing campaign, MacLean turns into the primary AHL participant since Hartford’s John Tripp in 2002-03 to notch 4 hat tips in a single season. Mathias Tjarnqvist additionally scores three objectives for the Stars, marking simply the second time in Grand Rapids historical past that each a Griffins participant and an opposing participant tally hat tips in the identical recreation.
Ups and Downs
The Griffins returned from the vacation break with a 3-0-0-0 file of their first three video games however then dropped three straight outings from Jan. 4-11, averaging only one purpose per recreation. The offense exploded for 4 objectives within the third interval on Wednesday towards Chicago and claimed a 5-2 win. The protection has been stable as soon as once more, permitting simply 1.88 objectives for the reason that break. The offense has averaged 2.88 objectives per recreation for the reason that break and a pair of.17 objectives in its final six outings. Grand Rapids stays in first place within the Central Division, second within the Western Convention, and sixth within the AHL with a 21-12-3-1 file and 46 factors by 37 video games. The Griffins are 13-10-2-0 towards their division rivals and have held no less than a share of the highest spot within the division since Nov. 8.
House Candy House
On Jan. 4, the Griffins completed a stretch of video games that noticed them play 9 of 12 contests on the street from Dec. 7-Jan. 4 and confirmed a 6-4-2-0 file. Grand Rapids will conclude a season-high five-game homestand this weekend, which started final Friday. They’re additionally in a stretch that can see them play eight of 10 video games inside Van Andel Area from Jan. 10-Feb. 1. The Griffins are 10-6-1-1 at house this season however have gained two of their final eight house outings (2-4-1-1). Below head coach Dan Watson, Grand Rapids is 33-13-5-3 (.685) inside Van Andel Area.
Elm Tree
Elmer Soderblom, the tallest participant in franchise historical past at 6-foot-8, has 5 factors (2-3—5) in his final 4 video games and eight factors in his final 9 outings (3-5—8). Throughout his two-point evening on Wednesday, the 23-year-old bagged his fiftieth help as a professional after registering his fiftieth level as a Griffin final Friday (21-29—50). Final yr, Soderblom produced 29 factors (13-16—29) in 61 contests earlier than including two factors (1-1—2) in seven playoff video games, making his Calder Cup Playoff debut on Might 3, 2024 towards Rockford. The Gothenburg, Sweden, native additionally appeared in 21 video games with the Detroit Crimson Wings throughout his rookie season in 2022-23 and totaled eight factors (5-3—8) in 21 video games. By means of 37 video games this yr, Soderblom has 16 factors (4-12—16), 29 penalty minutes and a plus-three ranking.
Shine Shiny
Veteran Dominik Shine is tied for first on the roster in factors (10-17—27), second in assists (17), and fourth in objectives (10) in 37 video games. Shine collected his sixth multi-point recreation of the season on Dec. 7 at Chicago (0-2—2), which tied for his career-high mark set in 2021-22, and now has eight factors (4-4—8) in his final 12 contests. Final yr, Shine posted career-high numbers in assists (23), factors (33) and plus-minus ranking (+8) and is on tempo to succeed in 52 factors (20-32—52) this season. The Detroit native has spent his whole profession with Grand Rapids since 2016-17 and has gathered 165 factors (71-94—165) and 513 penalty minutes in 459 appearances. He’s one purpose shy of breaking into the highest 10 for objectives scored in franchise historical past. Within the Griffins’ all-time rankings, Shine locations third in video games performed, sixth in penalty minutes, tied for tenth in extra time objectives (2), and tied for first in unassisted objectives (10).
Rollercoaster Journey
The Griffins ranked twenty ninth within the AHL by the primary 10 video games with 2.20 objectives per contest earlier than displaying 4.10 objectives per recreation from Nov. 7-Dec. 1 and going 8-2-0-0 through the run. The Griffins then averaged simply 2.33 objectives per recreation from Dec. 6-22 and went 3-4-2-0 in these contests. Grand Rapids has now potted 23 objectives throughout eight video games (2.88) since Dec. 28 with a 4-3-0-1 file and a pair of.17 objectives in its final six outings. The Griffins are tied for twenty first on the circuit with 2.89 objectives per outing, whereas rating second in objectives towards per recreation (2.49). When scoring no less than three objectives this season, Grand Rapids is 17-0-0-1 in comparison with 4-12-3-0 when scoring fewer than three objectives.
Energy Surge
The Griffins have potted two power-play objectives in each video games this week. The ability play has transformed seven of their final 28 power-play alternatives (25.0%) throughout their final 9 video games. Grand Rapids had its finest run when it scored a power-play purpose in 5 straight video games from Nov. 24-Dec. 6 (5-for-15, 33.3%). The ability play ranks tenth on the circuit at 18.6% (24-for-129). If you happen to break it down additional, Grand Rapids’ house energy play is 12-for-56 (21.4%, seventh) and its street energy play is 12-for-73 (16.4%, 18th). The Griffins have additionally given up six short-handed objectives, which is tied for the fifth-most. The Griffins’ penalty kill has additionally struggled as of late, permitting a power-play purpose in 5 straight video games (16-for-22 on PK, 72.7%). Grand Rapids has additionally surrendered a power-play purpose in 12 of its final 17 outings (51-for-65 on PK, 78.5%). Nonetheless, the penalty-kill unit stays top-of-the-line within the league, because it ranks ninth at 84.6%. Grand Rapids has scored six short-handed tallies this season, which is tied for fourth within the AHL. When scoring on the ability play, the Griffins are 12-4-2-1 and 6-9-1-1 once they enable a power-play purpose.
Lock It Down
The Griffins have allowed simply 1.88 objectives per recreation since coming back from the vacation break and rank second total with 2.49 objectives allowed per recreation this season. Sebastian Cossa has proven a 2.33 goals-against common and .917 save proportion by 21 video games, whereas Jack Campbell has logged a 2.15 goals-against common and a .917 save proportion in 5 appearances. Relationship again to final season, Grand Rapids has allowed simply 48 objectives in its final 21 regular-season video games at Van Andel Area (2.29 GA per recreation). Additionally courting again to final season, the Griffins have allowed 54 objectives of their final 21 regular-season street video games (2.57 GA per recreation).
Holy Goalies
Sebastian Cossa, the fifteenth total decide by the Detroit Crimson Wings in 2021, has been the go-to netminder for the Griffins this season, as he has an 11-7-3 mark with a 2.33 GAA and a .917 save proportion in 21 video games. Cossa ranks among the many AHL leaders in minutes performed (1,238:08, ninth), video games performed (21, T9th), GAA (T8th), wins (T8th), and save proportion (eleventh). The 22-year-old collected his first NHL victory throughout his debut on Dec. 9 on the Buffalo Sabres with a 6-5 shootout victory behind 12 saves and two stops within the shootout. Cossa turned the primary netminder in NHL historical past to win his debut through a shootout in a reduction effort. Veteran Jack Campbell made his Griffins debut on Dec. 6 towards the Chicago Wolves and later bagged his first win as a Griffin on Dec. 17 at Texas behind 20 saves in a 4-2 choice. By means of six video games with Grand Rapids, Campbell is 2-3-1 with a 2.15 goals-against common and a .917 save proportion. Campbell has 444 professional video games underneath his belt with a 2.66 GAA and 231 wins since 2011-12, splitting time between the NHL (176 GP), AHL (241 GP) and ECHL (27 GP). Within the AHL, Campbell has proven a 119-85-27 file with a 2.71 goals-against common and a .911 save proportion.
Pucks On Web
The Griffins outshot their opponent simply three occasions within the first 21 contests (14.3%) however have since outshot their opponent six occasions within the final 16 video games (37.5%). The 26 pictures by the Griffins within the opening interval final evening had been probably the most ever recorded in a interval by both the Griffins or their opponent, spanning 2,359 mixed common season (2,170) and playoff (189) video games. Grand Rapids held a shot benefit in two straight video games from Jan. 2-4, a feat its solely finished two different occasions this season (Dec. 7-8; Nov. 24-29). The Griffins common 25.9 pictures per recreation, which ranks final within the AHL. Grand Rapids has been held to underneath 20 pictures six occasions and has exceeded 30 pictures 9 occasions. On the flip aspect, the Griffins’ opponents common 28.6 pictures per recreation (14th in AHL) and have been held to underneath 30 pictures 19 occasions. The third interval has given the Griffins probably the most issues, as they’re being outshot 327-273 in comparison with being outshot 350-329 within the second and 356-339 within the first. Nonetheless, Grand Rapids has a 13-7-2-0 ledger when recording 20-29 pictures and an 11-5-2-0 mark when permitting 30-39 pictures.
Written In The Stars
Goaltender Sebastian Cossa, ahead Austin Watson, and head coach Dan Watson will symbolize the Griffins at this yr’s AHL All-Star Traditional to be held Feb. 2-3 at Acrisure Area in Palm Desert, California. Cossa, who’s in his second full season with the Griffins, will make his first look within the AHL All-Star Traditional and the primary for a Griffins goalie since Petr Mrazek in 2013. The fifteenth total decide by the Detroit Crimson Wings in 2021 ranks among the many AHL’s leaders in minutes performed (1,238:08, ninth), video games performed (21, T9th), GAA (2.33, T8th), wins (11, T8th), and save proportion (.917, eleventh). Austin Watson, a 13-year veteran, may even make his first AHL All-Star Traditional look. The Ann Arbor, Michigan, native is tied for first on the roster with 27 factors (11-16—27) in 35 video games, whereas additionally main the staff in power-play objectives (5) and rating third in assists (16). Dan Watson is the primary Griffins coach to attain an all-star honor since Todd Nelson in 2017 and the fourth head coach in franchise historical past to educate in an all-star recreation, becoming a member of Nelson, Jeff Blashill (2014), and Bruce Cassidy (2002 AHL, 2001 IHL). This can mark Watson’s third profession all-star look, as he was chosen to educate within the ECHL All-Star Sport in each 2017 and 2022 whereas with the Toledo Walleye.
AHL Leaderboard Tracker
Shai Buium—Sixth amongst rookie defensemen in assists (13), tied for eighth amongst rookie defensemen in factors (13), tied for seventh amongst rookie defensemen in plus-minus ranking (+6)
Sebastian Cossa—Ninth in minutes performed (1,238:08), tied for ninth in video games performed (21), tied for eighth in GAA (2.33), tied for eighth in wins (11), and eleventh in save proportion (.917)
Nate Danielson—Tied for first in short-handed assists (3), first amongst rookies in short-handed assists (3), third amongst rookies in assists (18), tied for eighth amongst rookies in power-play assists (7)
Josiah Didier—Tied for 14th in plus-minus ranking (+13), tied for eleventh amongst defensemen in plus-minus ranking (+13)
Alex Doucet—Tied for fifth in short-handed objectives (2), tied for first amongst rookies in short-handed objectives (2)
x William Lagesson—Tied for 14th in plus-minus ranking (+13), tied for eleventh amongst defensemen in plus-minus ranking (+13)
Amadeus Lombardi—Tied for seventh in game-winners (4)
Austin Watson—First in main penalties (9)
Milestones
Final evening, Sheldon Dries recorded his 250th level as a professional with a purpose. On Wednesday, Elmer Soderblom collected his fiftieth help as a professional throughout a two-point evening (1-1—2).
Sheldon Dries—Two assists from 100 within the AHL
Dominik Shine—One unassisted purpose from claiming the franchise file of 11 in a profession, one purpose from shifting right into a tie for tenth place within the franchise’s all-time objectives scored checklist
Joe Snively—Three factors from 200 within the AHL
Picture by Mark Newman/Griffins
