Griffins Game #69 * Road Game #34 * AHL Game #1,082

Season Series: 3-4-0-0 Home Series: 1-3-0-0 Road Series: 2-1-0-0
All-Time Series: 70-41-1-1-9 All-Time Home Series: 38-18-1-1-6 All-Time Road Series: 32-23-0-0-3

Griffins at Moose
Eighth of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at the Canada Life Centre…Since the Moose rejoined the AHL in 2015-16, Grand Rapids is 26-17-0-2 (0.600) against them, including a 11-9-0-1 (0.548) ledger in Manitoba…Grand Rapids has just two wins in the last nine trips to Manitoba (2-6-0-1), dating back to the 2019-20 season...This is the 123rd meeting between the two teams, which is the fourth-most encounters by any Grand Rapids opponent...This will be the final contest of Manitoba’s eight-game homestand…Manitoba is 3-5-1-1 in its last 10 games while the Griffins are 4-5-0-1...The Moose are on a five-game losing skid...On home ice this season, the Moose are 18-13-1-3 and the Griffins bolster a 16-16-0-1 ledger on the road...The Moose are tied for fourth in the AHL with a power play percentage of 22.8% but their home power play ranks 10th at 20.8%...Manitoba’s penalty kill is also one of the best on the circuit, as it is tied for 11th at 82.4%...Moose rookie goaltender Arvid Holm ranks fifth among first-year netminders with a 2.65 goals against average and third with a 0.912 save percentage.

Last Time Out
After a sluggish opening period with only one shot on goal, the Griffins regrouped to win 5-2 over the Manitoba Moose on Thursday at the Canada Life Centre. The Griffins posted 31 shots and 5 goals in the final 40 minutes of play after being outpaced 10-1 in shots during the initial 20. Carter Mazur recorded the first two goals of his professional career in the third frame, as well as adding an assist to Danny O’Regan’s goal. In four outings with Grand Rapids this season, Mazur has four points (2-2–4). With a tally and an assist tonight, O’Regan has 24 points through his last 22 appearances (11-13-24). Captain Brian Lashoff notched his 100th assist as a Griffin on Seth Barton’s game-winner.

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

This Date in Griffins History
2005: Defenseman Niklas Kronwall is named to the AHL’s First All-Star Team. That night, Kip Miller notches a hat trick and adds two assists to lead the Griffins to a 7-4 win at San Antonio, as Grand Rapids clinches its sixth straight season with a winning record.

Win Some, Lose Some
The Griffins have had an up-and-down season this year and have won just three out of their last nine games. Grand Rapids has points in nine of its last 15 games (6-6-1-2). The Griffins rank seventh in the Central Division and are seven points out of a playoff spot with four games remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 21 of its last 35 contests (15-14-3-3, 0.514). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation just 15 times through 39 games (17-15-3-4, 0.526).

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 123 assists he now ranks sixth in franchise history, passing Nathan Paetsch. He is seven 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 40 helpers in 68 games this year, which is tied for 11th on the circuit. In addition, his 21 power-play assists this season are tied for sixth in the AHL. Hirose also leads the roster with 55 points (15-40—55) in 68 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 353 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 five-game point streak (2-5—7) from Feb. 24-March 4 and now has 14 points (7-7—14) in his last 13 outings. O’Regan also has 24 points in his last 22 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 13-30-0-0 (0.302) 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 eighth, three short-handed goals are tied for third
Simon Edvinsson—22 assists rank sixth among rookie defensemen, 27 points are tied for seventh among rookie defensemen
Taro Hirose—21 power-play assists are tied for sixth, 40 assists are tied for 11th
Joel L’Esperance—13 power-play goals are tied for third, 233 shots are tied for second

Milestones
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. Danny O’Regan secured his 300th AHL point with a goal on March 31 against Milwaukee.
John Lethemon—One win from 50 as a pro
Chase Pearson—One assist from 50 as a pro, in the AHL and as a Griffin

Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Moose