Griffins Game #71 * Home Game #36 * AHL Game #1,122

Season Series: 3-4-0-0 Home Series: 2-1-0-0 Road Series: 1-3-0-0
All-Time Series: 61-42-9-11 All-Time Home Series: 38-13-5-5 All-Time Road Series: 23-29-4-6

IceHogs at Griffins
Eighth of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at Van Andel Arena…Dating back to the final meeting of the 2019-20 season, Grand Rapids now has points in 17 of the last 24 games (14-7-2-1, 0.649) against the IceHogs...The Griffins are 23-17-6-6 (0.558) since the 2017-18 season against Rockford and have outscored the IceHogs 145-143. At home since 2017-18, Grand Rapids is 15-4-4-3 (0.712) against the IceHogs, outscoring Rockford 76-69...The Griffins have points in 14 of the last 16 home games against Rockford (9-2-2-3, 0.719)...Rockford comes into the contest with a 15-14-4-1 road record this season and Grand Rapids is 12-16-4-3 on home ice...The IceHogs are 5-5-100 in their last 10 and the Griffins are 3-6-0-1 in their last 10...Rockford is Grand Rapids’ fourth-most frequent opponent (Milwaukee 212, Chicago 193, Cleveland 126), as tonight’s game marks the 124th meeting between the two franchises...Griffins head coach Ben Simon served as an assistant in Rockford for two seasons (2011-13)...Rockford’s goaltender Arvid Soderblom is the brother of Griffins’ forward Elmer Soderblom.

Last Time Out
The Griffins ended their season series against the Cleveland Monsters with a 2-1 loss at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Wyatt Newpower scored his second goal of the season against his former team early in the first period. Carter Mazur provided a slick assist on the tally, extending his point streak to three games (3-2—5). In his last five outings, the Jackson, Mich., native has six points (3-3–6). Jeremie Biakabutuka also made his professional debut, adding two shots to the scoresheet. Ryan Bednard garnered 32 saves and now has a 0.940 save percentage and a 1.97 goals against average through three games with Grand Rapids.

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
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
The Griffins have had an up-and-down season this year and have won just three out of their last 11 games (3-7-0-1). 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 17 games (6-8-1-2) and rank seventh in the Central Division with two games remaining. Grand Rapids has points in 21 of its last 37 contests (15-16-3-3, 0.486). Since the new year, the Griffins have lost in regulation just 17 times through 41 games (17-17-3-4, 0.500).

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 four occasions this year and rank sixth in the AHL with an average attendance of 7,518. The Griffins will play one last home game this season on Friday against the Rockford IceHogs. 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 69 games this year, which is tied for 10th on the circuit. In addition, his 22 power-play assists this season rank sixth in the AHL. Hirose also leads the roster with 56 points (15-41—56) in 69 appearances. On Monday, he was recalled by the Red Wings under emergency conditions.

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 three games with the Griffins, Bednard has a 0.940 save percentage and a 1.97 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 15 outings. O’Regan also has 24 points in his last 24 games (11-13—24). On Tuesday, he was recalled by the Red Wings under emergency conditions.

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 15-3-4-4 (0.731) 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 10th, 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 10th
Joel L’Esperance—13 power-play goals are tied for third, 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
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 Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins