Griffins Playoff Recreation #2 * Dwelling Playoff Recreation #2 * AHL Recreation #M2
Common-Season Collection: 3-3-2-0 Common-Season Dwelling Collection: 1-2-1-0 Common-Season Street Collection: 2-1-1-0
All-Time Common-Season Collection: 45-32-7-5 All-Time Common-Season Dwelling Collection: 24-14-2-4 All-Time Common-Season Street Collection: 21-18-5-1
Playoff Collection: 0-1 Playoff Dwelling Collection: 0-1 Playoff Street Collection: 0-0
All-Time Playoff Collection: 2-5 All-Time Playoff Dwelling Collection: 2-2 All-Time Playoff Street Collection: 0-3
Recreation 1 Recap
The Texas Stars rode Remi Poirier’s 29 saves to a 4-0 victory over the Griffins on Tuesday in Recreation 1 of the Central Division Semifinals at Van Andel Area. The Stars scored two targets within the first and second intervals earlier than coasting to victory within the third. Sebastian Cossa bought the beginning in internet however after 15 saves on 19 photographs in 28:57 minutes, Jack Campbell changed him and completed with 11 saves on 11 photographs in 30:36 of ice time. The Griffins had gained Recreation 1 in every of their final three playoff collection and in seven of eight collection relationship to 2017, however the Stars handed the house crew its second straight postseason shutout, relationship again to Recreation 5 of the 2024 Central Division Finals at Milwaukee. The Griffins have been shut out in two straight playoff video games for the primary time ever – together with Recreation 5 of the 2024 Central Division Finals at Milwaukee – after struggling their first dwelling playoff shutout since Recreation 1 of the 2006 Western Convention Finals versus Milwaukee. Grand Rapids’ scoreless postseason drought now stands at 128:27, going again to the third interval of its 4-2 win over Milwaukee in Recreation 4 of the division finals on Might 24, 2024. All time, the Griffins have rallied to win two of 4 best-of-five collection when trailing after Recreation 1. The six-day hole between Video games 1 and a pair of is the biggest ever between the primary two video games of a Griffins playoff collection. The earlier excessive of 5 days was set throughout Grand Rapids’ final playoff collection, the 2024 Central Division Finals in opposition to Milwaukee (Recreation 1 on Might 15 in MIL, Recreation 2 on Might 20 in MIL).
This Date in Griffins Playoff Historical past
2001: Three third-period targets – together with unassisted tallies from Petr Schastlivy and David Oliver – break a 1-1 impasse and propel the Griffins to a 4-2 win at Orlando, tying the Jap Convention Finals at one win apiece.
Preserve the Religion
The final time the Griffins have been shut out within the opening sport of the playoffs and even Recreation 1 of a collection, they went on to win the Calder Cup. On April 26, 2013, Darcy Kuemper made 36 saves to guide the Houston Aeros to a 3-0 dwelling win over Grand Rapids in Recreation 1 of the Western Convention Quarterfinals. The collection finally went the space, with the Griffins claiming Recreation 5 at dwelling by a 7-0 depend on Might 4, 2013.
Calder Cup Playoffs Debuts
Throughout Recreation 1 final Tuesday, seven Griffins made their Calder Cup Playoffs debut, together with defensemen Shai Buium, Anton Johansson, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and forwards Ondrej Becher, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Emmitt Finnie, and Gabriel Seger. Becher (eightieth in 2024), Buium (thirty sixth in 2021), Brandsegg-Nygard (fifteenth in 2024), Finnie (201st in 2023), Johansson (a hundred and fifth in 2022), and Sandin-Pellikka (seventeenth in 2023) are all current draft picks of the Detroit Crimson Wings.
Setting the Stage
The Griffins clinched their nineteenth playoff berth in 29 seasons with a 37-29-4-2 document and 80 factors, claiming the third spot within the Central Division, ninth within the Western Convention and 18th general within the AHL. Grand Rapids matches up in opposition to second-seeded Texas Stars (43-26-3-0, 89 pts.), who’ve reached the Central Division Semifinals for the third consecutive season. The Griffins completed the regular-season collection in opposition to the Stars with a 3-3-2-0 document, together with 1-2-1-0 at Van Andel Area and 2-1-1-0 on the H-E-B Middle at Cedar Park. After starting the season collection with a four-game level streak (2-0-2-0), the Griffins went on to drop three of the ultimate 4 conferences (1-3-0-0). The Griffins and Stars have met simply as soon as earlier than within the Calder Cup Playoffs, because the eventual Calder Cup champion Texas defeated defending champion Grand Rapids 4-2 within the 2014 Western Convention Semifinals. The Griffins are 2-2 at dwelling and 0-3 on the street in opposition to Texas within the postseason. Grand Rapids possesses a 103-87 ledger within the postseason and 21-16 collection document, which incorporates video games within the IHL’s Turner Cup Playoffs from 1996-01. Within the AHL, the Griffins are 86-69 within the postseason, which incorporates two Calder Cups (2017, 2013). The Griffins have a 7-6 mark in a best-of-five collection. This will likely be Texas’ eleventh Calder Cup Playoff look in 16 seasons, because it has missed the postseason simply 3 times in 2012, 2017, and 2019 (no playoffs in 2020 or 2021). The Stars are 60-47 in postseason video games and have a 13-9 collection document, having reached the Calder Cup Finals 3 times (2010, 2014 (gained), 2018). Final season, Texas defeated Manitoba 2-0 within the first spherical earlier than being bested 3-2 by Milwaukee within the Central Division Semifinals.
Stumbled to the End Line
From Nov. 8-Feb. 7, the Griffins held not less than a share of first place within the Central Division with a 25-15-3-1 mark (.628) within the first 44 video games. The Griffins tied their finest begin in franchise historical past with 13 factors (6-1-1-0) by way of the primary eight video games, beforehand completed in 2000-01 (6-1-1). Grand Rapids additionally started 3-0-0-0 at dwelling for the primary time since 2009-10. Nonetheless, the crew completed the ultimate 28 outings with a 12-14-1-1 document (.464) and resulted in third place within the division. The Griffins faltered within the month of March, as they confirmed a 3-7-1-0 ledger and allowed 4.00 targets per sport after permitting 2.43 targets per contest from Oct.-Jan. Grand Rapids ended April with a profitable document and concluded the common season with a 5-4-0-0 document (.556) within the closing month.
The Promised Land
On March 29, the Griffins clinched their nineteenth playoff berth in 29 seasons with a 4-2 Springfield Thunderbirds victory over the Iowa Wild. Grand Rapids returns to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season underneath head coach Dan Watson, after lacking the earlier two postseasons in 2022 and 2023. The Griffins held not less than a share of first place within the Central Division from Nov. 8-Feb. 7 with a 25-15-3-1 mark (.628) by way of the opening 44 video games earlier than ending the season with a 12-14-1-1 document over the ultimate 28 outings to finish up in third place within the division.
A Lower Above
There have been 10 totally different Calder Cup champions since 2011, with Grand Rapids (2017, 2013) and Hershey (2024, 2023) being the one groups to earn a number of championships throughout that point. The opposite winners have been Chicago (2022), Charlotte (2019), Toronto (2018), Lake Erie (2016), Manchester (2015), Texas (2014), Norfolk (2012) and Binghamton (2011).
Prior Historical past
The Griffins and Stars will renew a rivalry that dates again to the 2009-10 season when Texas joined the AHL. Because the 2009-10 marketing campaign, the groups have met a mixed 89 occasions within the common season, with the Griffins possessing a 45-31-7-5 document (.573). Grand Rapids and Texas have met simply as soon as earlier than within the Calder Cup Playoffs when the defending champion Griffins have been defeated 4-2 within the 2014 Western Convention Semifinals to the eventual champion Texas Stars. Present Griffins goalie Jack Campbell appeared in 4 video games for the Stars throughout their cup run and totaled a 2-1 document with a 2.54 GAA and a .917 save proportion. Present Crimson Wings netminder Petr Mrazek served as Grand Rapids’ goaltender in that collection. Present assistant coach Brian Lashoff performed solely with Detroit that season and didn’t face the Stars in 2014. Stars captain Curtis McKenzie is the lone participant from 2014 nonetheless with the crew, whereas present assistant coach Maxime Fortunus was a participant on the time and normal supervisor Scott White was in his fifth season main the franchise.
Exhausting to Kill
In the course of the Griffins’ franchise-record run of seven straight playoff appearances from 2013-2019, they gained two Calder Cups (2013 and 2017), twice misplaced to the eventual champion (Texas 2014, Lake Erie 2016), and twice misplaced to the cup runner-up (Utica 2015, Chicago 2019). Throughout their 14 earlier AHL playoff runs, they gained these pair of cups, misplaced to the eventual champion on 4 events, and likewise misplaced to the opposite finalist 4 occasions. Together with their first 5 seasons as members of the Worldwide Hockey League, the Griffins have certified for the postseason on 19 prior events, profitable all of it twice, shedding six occasions to the eventual champ, and shedding 4 occasions to the runner-up.
Bench Boss
Second-year head coach Dan Watson has made his second straight Calder Cup Playoffs. He’s the sixth head coach in franchise historical past to achieve the postseason in each of his first two full years as head coach, becoming a member of Bruce Cassidy (2000-02), Danton Cole (2002-04), Greg Eire (2005-07) Jeff Blashill (2012-14), and Todd Nelson (2015-17). Final postseason, Watson led Grand Rapids to the Central Division Finals, the place it misplaced a winner-take-all Recreation 5 on the street to the division champion Milwaukee Admirals. Watson was named the Central Division head coach on the 2025 All-Star Basic, changing into 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 teach in an all-star sport, becoming a member of Nelson, Jeff Blashill (2014), and Bruce Cassidy (2002 AHL, 2001 IHL). Watson has by no means missed the playoffs throughout his eight seasons as a head coach. With the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, Watson went 51-34 (.600) over 5 postseasons, reaching the Kelly Cup Finals twice (2019 and 2022) and main Toledo to 4 Western Convention Finals berths (2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023).
From Good friend to Foe
The Griffins and Stars share a pair connections on championship profitable groups. In 2023, defenseman Brogan Rafferty reached the Calder Cup Finals with Coachella Valley alongside Texas’ Kole Lind. Jack Campbell gained the Calder Cup with Texas in 2014 with present Stars Curtis McKenzie, assistant coach Maxime Fortunus and normal supervisor Scott White. As well as, Stars goaltender Magnus Hellberg competed for the Griffins in 2022-23, exhibiting a 2-2-0 mark with a 2.50 GAA and a .932 save proportion in 4 video games. Texas tools supervisor Charlie Kaser is the son of Griffins’ broadcaster Bob Kaser and served as Grand Rapids’ assistant tools supervisor from 2018-23. Present Dallas Stars normal supervisor Jim Nill served because the Griffins’ GM for 2 seasons from 2011-13, profitable the Calder Cup in 2013. Nill spent components of 19 seasons with the Detroit Crimson Wings from 1994-2013, serving because the director of participant growth (1994-98) and assistant normal supervisor (1998-13) earlier than leaving for Dallas.
Been There, Finished That
Jack Campbell (2014 Texas), Josiah Didier (2019 Charlotte), assistant coach Brian Lashoff (2013 and 2017 Grand Rapids), and Joe Snively (2024 & 2023 Hershey) are the Griffins’ earlier Calder Cup champions. Brogan Rafferty (2023 Coachella Valley) made a Calder Cup Finals look in 2023. Captain Curtis McKenzie, assistant coach Maxime Fortunus and normal supervisor Scott White all gained the Calder Cup with Texas in 2014.
Scouting Texas
The Stars are led by Matej Blumel who confirmed 72 factors (39-33–72) in 67 video games, main the crew in factors, targets, and power-play targets (11). Blumel, who garnered a spot on the AHL First All-Star Staff, ranked among the many AHL leaders in targets (1st), factors (T2nd), power-play targets (T6th), and photographs (274, 1st). On the defensive aspect of the ice, Kyle Capobianco led all of Texas’ blueliners with 50 factors (7-43–50), 72 penalty minutes and a plus-25 score in 64 video games. He ranked among the many AHL’s defensemen leaders in factors (T5th), assists (third), plus-minus score (sixth), and power-play assists (16, T6th). Remi Poirier and former Griffin Magnus Hellberg cut up time in internet for the Stars. Poirier compiled a 17-11-2 mark with three shutouts (T12th), a 2.50 GAA (thirteenth) and a .908 save proportion (T18th) in 31 video games. Hellberg logged a 24-14-1 ledger (wins T4th) with two shutouts, a 2.69 GAA and a .904 save proportion in 41 video games (T8th). Justin Hryckowian was named the Dudley (Crimson) Garrett Memorial Award because the AHL’s excellent rookie, as he led all first-year gamers with 60 factors (22-38—60) in 67 video games. Hryckowian’s 60 factors have been the sixth most within the AHL by an undrafted rookie since 2009-10. Texas had the second-best energy play at 21.5%, tied for fifth within the AHL with 3.33 targets per sport and ranked ninth with 30.36 photographs per outing.
Lord Stanley
The Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun with 12 of the 16 groups having a Griffins alum amongst their participant or hockey operations ranks.
The Champs are Right here
The Griffins’ roster consists of quite a few coaches and gamers who’ve both reached a playoff closing or gained a title for his or her respective professional, faculty, junior or nationwide crew(s). Most not too long ago, Joe Snively gained the final two Calder Cups with Hershey (2024, 2023), Axel Sandin-Pellikka gained the 2024 SHL title with Skelleftea, Shai Buium gained the 2024 NCAA title with Denver, and Gabriel Seger took dwelling the 2024 ECAC title with Cornell College.
Common Season Collection Notes
Grand Rapids completed the common season collection in opposition to Texas with a 3-3-2-0 document, together with 1-2-1-0 at Van Andel Area and 2-1-1-0 on the H-E-B Middle at Cedar Park…After starting the season collection with a four-game level streak (2-0-2-0), the Griffins went on to drop three of the ultimate 4 conferences (1-3-0-0)…The Griffins have been held to 1 objective or much less in two of the eight video games, being shut out on March 26…Six of the eight conferences have been determined by two targets or extra…Grand Rapids averaged 3.50 targets per sport at Texas and simply 2.00 targets in opposition to the Stars at dwelling…The Stars’ energy play, which ranked second within the AHL through the common season (21.5%), went simply 2-for-17 (11.8%) in opposition to the Griffins…Joe Snively led Grand Rapids in opposition to Texas with seven factors (2-5—7) and 5 assists in eight video games, whereas Matej Blumel paced the Stars in opposition to the Griffins with 11 factors (6-5—11) and 6 targets in eight appearances…Blumel and Arttu Hyry tied for the crew lead in opposition to Grand Rapids with 5 assists…Sheldon Dries led the Griffins with three targets in six video games in opposition to Rockford…Main every crew in internet have been Jack Campbell, who went 2-1-0 with a 2.68 GAA and a .905 SV% in three video games, and Texas’ Magnus Hellberg, who confirmed a 4-2-0 mark with one shutout, a 2.15 GAA and a .916 SV% in six contests…Campbell secured his first win as a Griffin in opposition to Texas on Dec. 17 (20 saves) and made a season-high 35 saves on April 11 versus the Stars…Antti Tuomisto registered his fiftieth professional help on Feb. 25 at Texas…Emmitt Finnie made his season debut on March 26 in opposition to Texas…Dries skated in his three hundredth professional sport on Dec. 22 versus the Stars…Snively appeared in his three hundredth professional sport on Feb. 26 at Texas and registered two-point nights in opposition to the Stars on Dec. 17 (0-2—2) and Feb. 25 (1-1—2)…William Wallinder recorded two assists on April 11 in opposition to Texas…Tim Gettinger suited up for his three hundredth AHL sport on Dec. 17 at Texas and his a centesimal sport as a Griffin on March 26 versus the Stars…Ondrej Becher secured his first two-assist night time within the AHL on Feb. 25 at Texas…Captain Josiah Didier skated in his five hundredth professional sport on Feb. 25 at Texas…Amadeus Lombardi bagged two factors (1-1—2) on Feb. 25 on the Stars…Austin Watson logged two factors (1-1—2) on Dec. 17 at Texas.
Story of the Tape
Right here’s how the 2 rivals stacked up in key classes through the common season:
Grand Rapids, Texas
General Report: 37-29-4-2, 80 pts. (third Central, 18th AHL), 43-26-3-0, 89 pts. (2nd Central, tenth AHL)
Dwelling Report: 27-15-2-2, 38 pts. (18th), 19-14-3-0, 41 pts. (tenth)
Street Report: 20-14-2-0, 42 pts. (18th), 24-12-0-0, 48 pts. (tenth)
Energy Play: 44-for-254, 17.3% (T24th), 50-for-233, 21.5% (2nd)
Penalty Killing: 197-for-238, 82.8% (14th), 203-for-246, 82.5% (fifteenth)
Penalty Minutes: 10.71 avg. (thirty first), 11.78 avg. (twenty second)
Targets For: 2.81 avg. (T26th), 3.33 avg. (T5th)
Targets In opposition to: 2.82 avg. (ninth), 2.92 avg. (thirteenth)
Pictures For: 27.43 avg. (twenty sixth), 30.36 avg. (ninth)
Pictures In opposition to: 28.56 avg. (T15th), 27.99 avg. (eleventh)
Staff Leaders
Video games Performed: Joe Snively (72), Kole Lind, Michael Karow (71)
Targets: Sheldon Dries (25), Matej Blumel (39) (led AHL)
Assists: Dominik Shine (32), Kyle Capobianco (43)
Factors: Snively (47), Blumel (72)
Plus/Minus: William Lagesson (+13), Capobianco (+25)
Penalty Minutes: Austin Watson (112), Lind (93)
Energy Play Targets: Snively & Watson (7), Blumel (11)
Shorthanded Targets: Watson (3), Blumel, Arttu Hyry & Emilio Pettersen (2)
Recreation-Profitable Targets: Dries (7), Hyry (7)
Wins: Sebastian Cossa (21), Magnus Hellberg (24)
Shutouts: Cossa (1), Remi Poirier (3)
Targets In opposition to Avg.: Cossa (2.45), Poirier (2.50)
Save Proportion: Cossa (.911), Poirier (.908)
2024-25 Griffins vs. Stars Head-to-Head
Grand Rapids, Texas
General Report: 3-3-2-0, 5-3-0-0
Dwelling Report: 1-2-1-0, 2-2-0-0
Street Report: 2-1-1-0, 3-1-0-0
Energy Play: 3-for-22 (13.6%), 2-for-17 (11.8%)
Penalty Kill: 15-for-17 (88.2%), 19-for-22 (86.4%)
Targets For: 22 (2.75 avg.), 27 (3.38 avg.)
Pictures For: 195 (24.4 avg.), 238 (29.8 avg.)
Photograph by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins
