Griffins Game #70 * Road Game #35 * AHL Game #1,106

Season Series: 3-3-0-1 Home Series: 2-1-0-1 Road Series: 1-2-0-0
All-Time Series: 71-37-6-11 All-Time Home Series: 40-18-2-3 All-Time Road Series: 31-19-4-8

Roster Shake Up
- March 30—D William Wallinder signed to ATO by Grand Rapids
- March 31—G Dylan St. Cyr signed to ATO by Grand Rapids; G Dylan St. Cyr released from ATO; D Charlie Curti released from PTO
- April 4—G Alex Nedeljkovic reassigned by Detroit
- April 5—G Alex Nedeljkovic recalled by Detroit; D Jeremie Biakabutuka signed to ATO by Grand Rapids

This Date in Griffins History
2002: After breaking the modern AHL record for save percentage (0.9301) and posting the second-lowest GAA (1.83) in league history, Martin Prusek is named the winner of the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding goaltender for the 2001-02 season.

Win Some, Lose Some
The Griffins have had an up-and-down season this year and have won just three out of their last 10 games. Grand Rapids has points in nine of its last 16 games (6-7-1-2) and rank seventh in the Central Division with three games remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 21 of its last 36 contests (15-15-3-3, 0.500). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation just 16 times through 40 games (17-16-3-4, 0.513).

Rewrite the Record Book
Taro Hirose has been known for his passing abilities throughout four seasons with the Griffins. The former Michigan State Spartan has continued to climb the Griffins’ all-time assist leaderboard, and with 124 assists he now ranks sixth in franchise history, passing Nathan Paetsch. He is six helpers away from tying Derek King for fifth in franchise annals. Hirose is as consistent as they come, as he has had at least 22 assists in each AHL campaign in his career. The Calgary, Alberta, native has totaled a career-high 41 helpers in 69 games this year, which is tied for 10th on the circuit. In addition, his 22 power-play assists this season are tied for fifth in the AHL. Hirose also leads the roster with 56 points (15-41—56) in 69 appearances.

Griffins Tenders
Last Friday, Dylan St. Cyr became the seventh goaltender to man the Griffins’ pipes this season, breaking the franchise record for most goalies used that was set in 2005-06. That season, Jimmy Howard made his pro debut and was a stalwart for Grand Rapids, appearing in 38 games for the AHL’s regular season champions and earning a spot on the league’s All-Rookie Team. Joey MacDonald (32), Drew MacIntyre (13) and Logan Koopmans (1) saw action along with Chris Osgood (3) and Manny Legace (1), who both came to the Griffins on conditioning stints from Detroit. Last Sunday, Ryan Bednard made his Griffins debut and became the eighth netminder to compete for Grand Rapids this campaign.

Just the Beginning
Last Wednesday, Carter Mazur made his pro debut with the Griffins and recorded three shots and a minus-one rating. Mazur was the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit. Mazur spent two seasons at the University of Denver and compiled 75 points (36-39—75) in 81 games, winning a national title in 2022. He became the eighth Denver Pioneer to play for the Griffins, with five of them winning an NCAA championship, spanning each of the school’s last four titles (2004, 2005, 2017, 2022). In his second game, Mazur recorded his first pro point with an assist against Milwaukee last Friday.

Few and Far Between
Dominik Shine last Wednesday became just the seventh player in franchise history to reach 350 games played. This is rare air occupied by four Calder Cup champs, all three of the Griffins’ two-time winners, and two of the three Griffins who’ve had their numbers retired. Throughout the 354 games as a Griffin, Shine has accumulated 105 points (51-54—105) and 404 penalty minutes. Below is a list of the seven players who have played at least 350 games for Grand Rapids.

Danny Boy
Danny O’Regan is starting to find a rhythm with the Griffins after joining the team on Dec. 19. After exploding for three points (2-1—3) in his Griffins debut, O’Regan had just three points in his next 12 games from Dec. 28-Feb. 15. However, the German-born forward enjoyed a four-game point streak (3-2—5) from March 29-April 6 and now has 14 points (7-7—14) in his last 14 outings. O’Regan also has 24 points in his last 23 games (11-13—24).

Just Keep it Close
The Griffins have had their ups and downs this season, but they have excelled at winning close games. In fact, Grand Rapids is 15-2-4-4 (0.760) in games decided by one goal and 6-0-4-0 in overtime contests. In comparison, the Griffins are just 13-31-0-0 (0.295) in games decided by two or more tallies. In the 2021-22 season, the Griffins finished with a 13-7-6-2 (0.607) mark in games decided by one goal.

AHL Leaderboard Tracker
Austin Czarnik—Five game-winning goals are tied for ninth, three short-handed goals are tied for third
Simon Edvinsson—22 assists rank sixth among rookie defensemen, 27 points are tied for eighth among rookie defensemen
Taro Hirose—22 power-play assists are tied for fifth, 41 assists are tied for 10th
Joel L’Esperance—13 power-play goals are tied for third, 234 shots rank fourth

Milestones
Taro Hirose collected an assist during his 250th pro game on April 7. Brian Lashoff notched his 100th assist as a Griffin and in the AHL on April 6 at Manitoba. Joel L’Esperance appeared in his 250th game in the AHL on April 2.
John Lethemon—One win from 50 as a pro
Jared McIsaac—Two points from 50 as a pro, as a Griffin and in the AHL
Chase Pearson—One assist from 50 as a pro, in the AHL and as a Griffin

Photo by Cleveland Monsters