Griffins Game #66 * Home Game #35 * AHL Game #1,034

Season Series: 2-5-0-0 Home Series: 1-2-0-0 Road Series: 1-3-0-0
All-Time Series: 109-79-7-8-8 All-Time Home Series: 58-37-2-3-3 All-Time Road Series: 51-42-5-5-5

Admirals at Griffins
Eighth of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at Van Andel Arena…Grand Rapids is 17-18-1-1 (0.486) against Milwaukee since the 2017-18 campaign...Dating back to the 2017-18 season, the Griffins are 10-10-2-1 (0.500) against Milwaukee at Van Andel Arena with a minus-four scoring margin (59-55)...Grand Rapids has scored just two goals or less in each of its last five games against the Admirals and is averaging just 1.57 goals against Milwaukee this season…Milwaukee’s penalty kill ranks second at 84.6% while its power play places fifth at 22.3%...Milwaukee is 7-3-0-0 in its last 10 outings and have a 20-9-2-1 road ledger...The Griffins are 5-3-0-2 in their last 10 and 12-15-4-3 at home...Grand Rapids has faced Milwaukee more than any other opponent in the regular season – 212th meeting tonight – and the Griffins’ 109 victories against the Admirals are the most against any foe…Head coach Ben Simon skated in 18 games with the Admirals during the 2003-04 campaign and finished with four points (1-3—4)...Matt Luff skated with Milwaukee last season and compiled 31 points (14-17—31) in 30 appearances.

Last Time Out
The Griffins’ comeback effort fell short in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Wolves on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena. Carter Mazur made his pro debut, getting ice time on the power play, penalty kill and overtime. Dominik Shine scored in his 350th game as a pro, as the veteran forward fell to the ground in the crease and somehow got a shot off and lit the lamp in the second period. Joel L’Esperance recorded his 13th power-play goal of the season, the third most in the AHL.

Roster Shake Up
- March 23—G Alex Nedeljkovic recalled by Detroit
- March 24—G Dylan St. Cyr signed to an ATO by Grand Rapids
- March 25—D Simon Edvinsson, F Matt Luff and F Austin Czarnik reassigned by Detroit
- March 27—D Simon Edvinsson, F Matt Luff and F Austin Czarnik recalled by Detroit
- March 28—F Taro Hirose recalled by Detroit; F Carter Mazur signed to ATO by Grand Rapids; G Dylan St. Cyr released from ATO by Grand Rapids
- March 29—G Ryan Bednard signed to PTO by Grand Rapids; F Taro Hirose reassigned by Detroit
- March 30—D William Wallinder signed to ATO by Grand Rapids
- March 31—G Dylan St. Cyr signed to ATO by Grand Rapids

This Date in Griffins History
2006: Grand Rapids claims both the North Division and Western Conference regular-season titles with a 5-4 overtime win at Manitoba, giving the team its record 11th straight win, its record-tying 53rd win of the season, and a best-ever mark of 12-1 for the month.

Win Some, Lose Some
After enduring a season-high four-game winless streak from March 1-7, the Griffins battled back and enjoyed a four-game point streak (3-0-0-1) from March 10-16. However, Grand Rapids has won just two out of its last six contests but still has points in eight of its last 12 games (5-4-1-2). The Griffins rank seventh in the Central Division and are seven points out of a playoff spot with seven games remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 20 of its last 32 contests (14-12-3-3, 0.531). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation just 13 times through 36 games (16-13-3-4, 0.542).

Just the Beginning
On 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.

Few and Far Between
Dominik Shine on Wednesday became just the seventh player in franchise history to reach 350 games played. This is rare air occupied by four of our Calder Cup champs, all three of our two-time winners, and two of the three Griffins who’ve had their numbers retired. Throughout the 350 games as a Griffin, Shine has accumulated 104 points (51-53—104) and 404 penalty minutes. Below is a list of the seven players who have played at least 350 games for Grand Rapids.

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 122 assists he now is tied for sixth in franchise history with Nathan Paetsch. He is eight helpers away from tying Derek King for fifth in franchise history. 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 team-leading 39 helpers in 65 games this year. In addition, his 20 power-play assists this season are tied for seventh in the AHL. Hirose also leads the roster with 54 points (15-39—54) in 65 appearances.

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 10 points (4-6—10) in his last 10 outings. O’Regan also has 20 points in his last 19 games (8-12—20).

Jumping for Joel
In his first year as a Griffin, Joel L’Esperance leads the team in goals with 24 and ranks second on the roster with 45 points. L’Esperance has lit the lamp in three of the past four games and needs six more tallies to tie his career high set during the 2018-19 season with Texas (30 goals). The Brighton, Mich., native is also just four points from tying his career-high mark from the 2021-22 campaign (49 points). Throughout 248 AHL contests, L’Esperance has amassed 181 points (104-77—181) and 134 penalty minutes.

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 12-28-0-0 (0.300) 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 first
Simon Edvinsson—22 assists are tied for sixth among rookie defensemen, 27 points rank seventh among rookie defensemen
Taro Hirose—20 power-play assists are tied for seventh, 39 assists are tied for 11th
Joel L’Esperance—13 power-play goals rank third, 217 shots rank fourth

Milestones
Dominik Shine scored a goal in his 350th game as a Griffin on March 29 against Chicago. Danny O’Regan notched his 300th pro point with a goal on March 16 at Cleveland, while Shine scored his 50th pro goal with the game-winner, which was also his 100th pro point. Alex Nedeljkovic collected his 100th AHL victory in a 3-1 win at Chicago on March 12. Wyatt Newpower appeared in his 100th game as a Griffin on March 12 and Donovan Sebrango suited up in his 150th pro game.
John Lethemon—One win from 50 as a pro
Joel L’Esperance—Two games from 250 in the AHL
Danny O’Regan—One point from 300 in the AHL
Chase Pearson—One assist from 50 as a pro, in the AHL and as a Griffin
Ben Simon—Four victories from setting the franchise record for most wins as head coach (147)
Tyler Spezia—Two goals from 50 as a pro

Photo by Mark Newman/Griffins