Griffins Flashback: April 23

Take a look back at this date in Griffins history.

April 23, 2019
Before the Griffins’ second-largest crowd (7,690) for a playoff opener in 21 years, Grand Rapids gets two goals from Filip Zadina and Wade Megan and three-point performances from Zadina, Martin Frk and Matt Puempel en route to a 6-2 win over Chicago and a 2-1 lead in the Central Division Semifinals. The gritty, intense game features a combined 144 penalty minutes and a 57-minute delay before the start of the third period due to ice repairs behind the south goal. (Photos)

April 23, 2017
A pair of goals by Tyler Bertuzzi – including one of Grand Rapids’ two empty-netters in the final minute – pace the Griffins to a 5-2 victory over Milwaukee, staking them to a 2-0 lead in the Central Division Semifinals. Bertuzzi’s seventh game-winning goal of his playoff career extends his franchise record. (Photos)

April 23, 2016
Behind a brilliant 31-save performance by Tom McCollum, the Griffins push the division champions to the brink of elimination with a 2-1 victory at Milwaukee in Game 2 of the Central Division Semifinals. Tyler Bertuzzi converts on the power play for the fifth game-winning goal of his playoff career, tying the franchise record held by Stacy Roest. (Photos)

April 23, 2007
Matt Ellis scores shorthanded on a 55-foot wrist shot at 12:39 of overtime to give the Griffins a 2-1 win over Manitoba and a 2-1 lead in the North Division Semifinals. The goal comes 1:32 after Drew MacIntyre stops Eric Himelfarb on the Griffins’ first-ever penalty shot in the playoffs. Jimmy Howard makes 24 saves while limiting the Moose to a single goal for the third straight game. (Photos)

April 23, 2004
The Wolves open with eight unanswered goals en route to an 8-2 victory at Allstate Arena and a 4-0 sweep of the Griffins in the West Division Semifinals. The eight goals mark the most surrendered by Grand Rapids in its 59-game postseason history and tie for the most allowed in the 709 total games played by the franchise. In addition, the six-goal margin of defeat is the Griffins’ largest ever in a playoff game.

April 23, 1997
In their first-ever home playoff game, the Griffins fall 4-1 to Orlando in Game 3 of the IHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Ben Hankinson tallies Grand Rapids’ lone goal, the first home playoff goal in franchise history.