Griffins Flashback: April 17

Take a look back at this date in Griffins history.

April 17, 2015
The Griffins secure their first 100-point season in nine years and move within one point of a Midwest Division title by virtue of a 2-1 victory over Charlotte. Jared Coreau makes 27 saves to improve to 10-1 in his last 11 starts, as the Griffins win for the 11th time in their last 12 home games and improve to 27-5-3-1 in their last 36 outings. (Photos)

April 17, 2009
Darren McCarty and Justin Abdelkader each tally a goal and an assist, while Ville Leino and Mattias Ritola add two helpers each to lead the Griffins to a 4-3 victory at Hamilton in Game 1 of the North Division Semifinals. Grand Rapids snaps a string of three straight Game 1 playoff losses.

April 17, 2005
The Griffins finish the season at 41-35-2-2 with a 3-2 defeat at Cincinnati, becoming the first team in the AHL’s 69-year history to win more than 40 games and be excluded from the playoffs. Grand Rapids also joins the 1948-49 Pittsburgh Hornets (88 pts.) as the only teams in league history to earn as many as 86 points and miss out on the postseason. Niklas Kronwall completes the season with 53 points and 40 assists, becoming the first defenseman in team history to lead the team in either category.

April 17, 2002
Center Jason Spezza, the Ottawa Senators' first selection (second overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, makes his pro debut with the Griffins in their 2-1 loss at Chicago in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

April 17, 1997
The Griffins win their first-ever IHL Turner Cup Playoff game, a 3-1 decision at Orlando to open the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Danton Cole tallies their first-ever playoff goal, scoring at 5:10 of the first period, while Todd Nelson notches the game-winning goal on a power play some 13 minutes later.