Griffins Game #72 * Road Game #36 * AHL Game #1,134

Season Series: 5-2-1-1 Home Series: 2-1-1-1 Road Series: 3-1-0-0
All-Time Series: 96-83-2-8-4 All-Time Home Series: 46-38-2-6-3 All-Time Road Series: 50-45-0-2-1

Griffins at Wolves
Tenth of 10 meetings overall, fifth of five at Allstate Arena…Grand Rapids has faced Chicago 193 times in the regular season dating back to their IHL days, the second-most of any Griffins opponent (Milwaukee, 212)…The Griffins’ four-game point streak against Chicago from Dec. 22-Feb. 24 was their longest run against the Wolves since a five-game point streak from Nov. 21, 2015-Feb. 28, 2016...Sixteen total goals were scored between the two teams on Dec. 22 (8-7 OTW), which was Grand Rapids’ first 8-7 result in franchise history. Chicago’s seven goals were the second-most allowed by the Griffins in a win, trailing only a 10-8 victory over Chicago on Nov. 27, 2010...With a 5-2-1-1 record and only one game remaining, the Griffins will be above the 0.500 mark against Chicago for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign...There has been seven times in the GR-CHI season series that a team has led 2-0 and the team that fell behind 0-2 has rallied to pick up a point in six of those seven games...Since the 2020-21 season, Grand Rapids is just 9-19-2-1 (0.339) against the Wolves and has been outscored 121-77...The Griffins possess a 17-32-2-2 (0.358) overall record against Chicago since 2017-18 and have been outscored 199-141...Since the 2017-18 season, the Griffins are 10-16-0-1 (0.389) against the Wolves in Chicago and have been outscored 103-76...The last time Grand Rapids was above 0.500 at Allstate Arena against Chicago was in the 2019-20 season when it went 3-1-0-0...The Wolves come into the contest with a 7-1-2-0 record in their past 10 games and have a 13-14-4-3 ledger at home...The Griffins are 3-6-0-1 in their last 10 outings and possess an 16-18-0-1 mark on the road...As part of his 11-year pro career, Griffins coach Ben Simon registered 87 points (37-50—87) in 196 games with the Wolves from 2001-03 and 2004-05 and was a part of their first Calder Cup title in 2002.

Last Time Out
In Brian Lashoff’s final hockey game at Van Andel Arena, the Griffins fell 2-1 to the Rockford IceHogs on Friday in front of a sellout crowd. The Griffins’ captain drew the start in his 629th game in a Grand Rapids uniform, the second-most in franchise history. Amadeus Lombardi made his pro debut in the contest, providing a stellar assist on Taro Hirose’s first-period goal. Ryan Bednard continued his impressive start, saving 25 of 27 shots on goal. In four games with Grand Rapids, the goalie has a 0.937 save percentage and a 2.00 goals against average.

Roster Shake Up
- April 4—G Alex Nedeljkovic reassigned by Detroit
- April 5—G Alex Nedeljkovic recalled by Detroit
- April 6—G Alex Nedeljkovic reassigned by Detroit
- April 7—G Alex Nedeljkovic recalled by Detroit; D Jeremie Biakabutuka signed to ATO by Grand Rapids
- April 10—F Taro Hirose recalled by Detroit
- April 11—F Danny O’Regan recalled by Detroit; D Simon Edvinsson reassigned by Detroit; F Amadeus Lombardi reassigned from Flint (OHL) to Grand Rapids by Detroit
-April 12—F Taro Hirose and F Danny O’Regan reassigned by Detroit

This Date in Griffins History
2000: Griffins claim their first Eastern Conference regular season championship and earn their 50th win thanks to a 5-2 victory at Cincinnati. Michel Picard ties a franchise mark with two shorthanded goals.

Win Some, Lose Some
The Griffins have had an up-and-down season this year and have won just three out of their last 12 games (3-8-0-1). With a loss against the Manitoba Moose last Friday, the Griffins were officially eliminated from the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. Grand Rapids has points in nine of its last 18 games (6-9-1-2) and rank seventh in the Central Division with one game remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 21 of its last 38 contests (15-17-3-3, 0.474). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation 18 times through 42 games (17-18-3-4, 0.488).

I Can See the Future
Carter Mazur’s professional career is off to a fast start, as the 21-year-old has totaled six points (3-3—6) in as many games. Mazur made his pro debut with the Griffins on March 29 against the Chicago Wolves and later collected his first pro point with an assist on March 31 against the Milwaukee Admirals. The Jackson, Mich., native exploded for three points (2-1—3) on April 6 at Manitoba and is now on a three-game point streak (3-2—5). Mazur was selected with the 70th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Thank You, Fans
The Griffins have sold out Van Andel Arena on five occasions this year and rank sixth in the AHL with an average attendance of 7,610. The Griffins’ sellout crowd of 10,834 last night was the fifth sellout of the season. With an average of over 7,000 fans per game, the 2022-23 campaign marks the 14th consecutive season (excluding 2020-21) that the Griffins have averaged 7,000-plus fans.

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 now 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 70 games this year, which is tied for 11th on the circuit. In addition, his 22 power-play assists this season rank sixth in the AHL. Hirose also leads the roster with 57 points (16-41—57) in 70 appearances.

Griffin Tenders
On March 31, 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. On April 2, Ryan Bednard made his Griffins debut and became the eighth netminder to compete for Grand Rapids this campaign. Through four games with the Griffins, Bednard has a 0.937 save percentage and a 2.00 goals against average.

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 16 outings. O’Regan also has 24 points in his last 25 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 15-4-4-4 (0.704) 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 11th, three short-handed goals are tied for third
Simon Edvinsson—22 assists are tied for sixth among rookie defensemen, 27 points are tied for eighth among rookie defensemen
Taro Hirose—22 power-play assists rank sixth, 41 assists are tied for 11th
Joel L’Esperance—13 power-play goals are tied for fourth, 240 shots place 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.
Simon Edvinsson—One assist from 50 as a pro
Brian Lashoff—Two points from 150 as a pro
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
Danny O’Regan—One game from 400 in the AHL
Chase Pearson—One assist from 50 as a pro, in the AHL and as a Griffin
Tyler Spezia—Two goals from 50 as a pro

Photo by Mark Newman/Griffins