Griffins Gear Up For Four Games in Six Nights

This Week’s Games
GRIFFINS at Iowa Wild // Mon., Nov. 26 // 8 p.m. EST // Wells Fargo Arena
Listen: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 7:35 p.m.
Watch: AHLTV
Season Series: 0-0-0-0 Road, 0-0-0-1 Overall. Second of six meetings overall, first of three at Wells Fargo Arena
All-Time Series: 15-5-0-0 Road, 29-10-0-2 Overall
NHL Affiliation: Minnesota Wild
Noteworthy: 14 of the last 19 meetings have been decided by one goal, including eight that have gone to either overtime or a shootout.

Chicago Wolves at GRIFFINS // Wed., Nov. 28 // 7 p.m. // Van Andel Arena
Listen: ESPN 96.1 FM at 6:35 p.m.
Watch: AHLTV
Season Series: 1-0-0-0 Home, 2-1-0-0 Overall. Fourth of eight meetings overall, second of four at Van Andel Arena
All-Time Series: 41-25-2-4-2 Home, 83-57-2-6-3 Overall
NHL Affiliation: Vegas Golden Knights
Noteworthy: After dropping six in a row to the Wolves, Grand Rapids has won the last two, including last Saturday’s 4-3 overtime victory in Illinois.

San Antonio Rampage at GRIFFINS // Fri., Nov. 30 // 7 p.m. // Van Andel Arena
Listen: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 6:35 p.m.
Watch: AHLTV
Season Series: 0-0-0-0 Home, 0-1-0-0 Overall. Second of eight meetings overall, first of four at Van Andel Arena
All-Time Series: 22-12-1-3-1 Home, 44-27-1-5-2 Overall
NHL Affiliation: St. Louis Blues
Noteworthy: The Griffins have claimed four in a row against San Antonio at Van Andel Arena, outscoring the Rampage 19-7 in that stretch.

Texas Stars at GRIFFINS // Sat., Dec. 1 // 7 p.m. // Van Andel Arena
Listen: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 6:35 p.m.
Watch: AHLTV
Season Series: 0-1-0-0 Home, 0-2-0-0 Overall. Third of eight meetings overall, second of four at Van Andel Arena
All-Time Series: 13-6-0-3 Home, 25-14-2-3 Overall
NHL Affiliation: Dallas Stars
Noteworthy: The Stars won the first meeting of the season in Texas by a 3-1 count and the initial matchup at Van Andel Arena on Oct. 17 by a 6-3 margin.

Last Week’s Results
Fri., Nov. 23 Milwaukee Admirals 3 at GRIFFINS 2 SO 8-7-0-2 (18 points, 6th Central Division)
Sat., Nov. 24 GRIFFINS 4 at Chicago Wolves 3 OT 9-7-0-2 (20 points, 5th Central)

Status Update: The Grand Rapids Griffins have points in nine of their last 11 games (7-2-0-2), including three in a row (2-0-0-1), and stand fifth in the Central Division with a 9-7-0-2 overall record. Grand Rapids concludes a brief two-game road swing tonight at Iowa that also begins this week’s quartet of Central Division matchups stretched across a six-day time frame. The Griffins will return to Van Andel Arena on Wednesday to host the Chicago Wolves and open up a four-game homestand. The Griffins are in the midst of playing 14 straight games against Central Division opponents. Grand Rapids is 6-2-0-2 in its last 10, the best mark in the Western Conference in that span.

Follow the Leader(s):
Points: Chris Terry (17)
Goals: Terry (12)
Assists: Carter Camper (12)
Plus-Minus: Turner Elson (+11)
PIM: Elson (27)
Wins: Harri Sateri (6)
GAA: Patrik Rybar (2.26)
Save %: Rybar (0.910)

Last Week’s Notes:
Friday vs. Milwaukee – The Griffins tied a season high with 40 shots...Eighteen shots in the opening frame tied for the most in a single period this season...Grand Rapids played past 60 minutes for the third time of the season and second consecutive…Anthony Richard was the only scorer in the four-round shootout...Matt Puempel produced his second two-goal output of the campaign...Patrik Rybar turned aside 26 shots and has points in five of seven starts (3-2-2)...Colin Campbell, skating in his fourth game of the year, picked up his first point on an assist...Grand Rapids finished 1-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill...Wade Megan played in his first game back with Grand Rapids after a six-game stint with the Red Wings.
Saturday at Chicago – Grand Rapids overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Chicago for the second consecutive time...The Griffins snapped a four-game winless streak at Allstate Arena...Filip Hronek took home first-star honors after scoring the game-winner 2:36 into overtime and adding an assist...Turner Elson netted the team’s first shorthanded goal of the season...Harri Sateri finished with 27 saves to pick up his fourth win in his last five starts...Grand Rapids improved to 4-2 when playing on the second night of a back to back.

This Week’s Promotions: Wednesday against Chicago will be a Winning Wednesday presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. Every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game. All fans who were in attendance for the Griffins’ win against the Rockford IceHogs during their matinee game on Nov. 14 can redeem their ticket stub for a free ticket to this game. On Friday against San Antonio, fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last. Friday will also mark the Fourth Annual Red Kettle Game presented by The Salvation Army. The Griffins will be wearing special Red Kettle jerseys for the game that will be auctioned off afterward. On Saturday against Texas, the first 2,500 fans will receive a Griffins power bank, courtesy of DTE Energy. More on this week’s promotions can be found here.

Road Reversal: After dropping their first four road games and being outscored 17-5 in that stretch, the Griffins have won four of their last five on foreign ice with a 21-15 scoring edge. During its last four road victories, Grand Rapids has rallied from a two-goal deficit on two occasions (Saturday at Chicago, Nov. 4 at Cleveland) and a one-goal debit twice (Nov. 8 at Manitoba, Oct. 27 at Belleville).

Free Hockey: After playing just one game past regulation in its first 15 contests, Grand Rapids has seen its last three decided in either overtime or a shootout. The Griffins are 2-0 in OT and 0-2 in shootouts this season.

Friendly Confines: The Griffins have points in seven of their first nine home games (5-2-0-2), including wins in three of their last five. Grand Rapids is a +3 in goal differential at home while averaging 3.22 goals, compared to -6 and 2.89 on enemy ice.

Terr-ing It Up: The AHL’s leading scorer from a season ago, Chris Terry shows six points (4-2—6) in the last four contests. He banked another goal in Saturday’s win at Chicago, giving him four in the last four games, eight in the last eight and 10 in the last 11. Since the Griffins’ stretch of nine points in their last 11 games began on Oct. 27, Terry paces the league with 10 goals while his 13 points in that span tie for seventh. The 10th-year pro’s team-high 12 goals tie for third in the AHL.

Central of Attention: The Griffins are in the midst of playing 14 straight Central Division opponents. Cleveland on Dec. 19 ends the run. Grand Rapids will also play 20 consecutive divisional games from Feb. 10-March 31.

Filip Hero-nek: With 2:24 remaining in overtime, Filip Hronek slotted the puck past Chicago’s Oscar Dansk to help the Griffins to a 4-3 overtime win at Allstate Arena on Saturday. A second-year defenseman, five of Hronek’s 14 career AHL goals have been of the game-winning variety, including two coming in overtime. Drafted 53rd overall by Detroit in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Hronek shows five points (1-4—5) in the last five games and paces all team blueliners in goals (2), assists (6) and points (8).

Page Turner: Sixth-year pro and second-year Griffin Turner Elson has points in five of the last six games, accumulating eight points in that span (3-5—8). He scored the team’s first shorthanded goal of the campaign in Saturday’s triumph at Chicago and chipped in an assist for his fifth multi-point game of the season. In comparison, Elson had four outings of two or more points in 57 games in 2017-18. He shows 14 points – which is third on the team – through the first 18 tilts and is on pace for 59 points, which would shatter his previous best of 30.

Rybar Supports: Goaltender Patrik Rybar (pronounced REE-bar) shows points in five of seven starts this season (3-2-2) and is fourth in the league with a 2.26 goals against average. He claims a 1.81 GAA since Oct. 27, and that ranks second in the AHL among goalies who have played more than 300 minutes in that span. The 25-year-old is in his first season in North American and led the Czech Extraliga in both GAA (1.73) and shutouts (7) in 36 games with Hradec Kralove last season.

No Shots For You: Grand Rapids has held foes to 25 or less shots in eight of 18 games this season and allowed more than 30 on just five instances. The Griffins have out shot 14 of 18 opponents and rank fourth on the circuit in shots against (26.5). Grand Rapids’ penalty killers have gone 10-for-10 in the last three games after finishing 2-for-5 against Ontario on Nov. 16.

Happy Camper: Carter Camper leads the squad with six multi-point games on the season and shows two in his last four outings. The first-year Griffin and eighth-year pro paces the club in assists (12) and ranks second in points (16), trailing Chris Terry by one.

Z-Score: The sixth overall selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit, Filip Zadina tallied his seventh goal of the season in Saturday’s win, which oddly enough was the first time he’s lit the lamp just once in a game. His three multi-goal games are the most on the team. His two goals on the man-advantage lead the club as well while he also ties for second in goals and places fifth in points (11). The soon-to-be 19-year-old (birthday is tomorrow) is the highest Red Wings draft pick ever to suit up for the Griffins. Only three players in Griffins history were drafted higher than No. 6: Jason Spezza (No. 2 by Ottawa in 2001), Darrin Shannon (No. 4 by Pittsburgh in 1988) and Stephen Weiss (No. 4 by Florida in 2001). Dylan Larkin (selected 15th overall in the 2014 Draft) was the previous highest Red Wings draft selection to play for Grand Rapids.

Milestones Within Reach:
Brian Lashoff – needs one point to reach 100 as a pro
Carter Camper – needs four points to reach 350 in the AHL
Chris Terry – needs five points to reach 500 as a pro
Matthew Ford – needs one assist to reach 200 in the AHL

Iowa Notes: Current record 12-4-2-1, 27 points, 2nd Central Division…Iowa has points in its last six outings (4-0-1-1)...In the first meeting of the year on Nov. 2 in West Michigan, Iowa scored twice in the four-round shootout to defeat the Griffins by a 3-2 margin...Axel Holmstrom and Chris Terry both recorded goals in regulation and goaltender Patrik Rybar made his first start on home ice during that first matchup...14 of the last 19 meetings between the teams have been decided by one goal, including eight that have gone past 60 minutes…The Griffins won 20 of the first 24 all-time games against the Wild, but are 9-6-0-2 since…At Wells Fargo Arena, Grand Rapids claimed the first eight all-time matchups from Oct. 27, 2013-Dec. 13, 2015, and is 7-5 since...The Griffins have won the last three in Des Moines, including two in a shootout...Tim Army is in his first season as Iowa’s head coach, taking over from Derek Lalonde, who was named an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning over the summer…Wild forward Landon Ferraro was a second-round draft selection by Detroit in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft…Ferraro tallied 140 points (75-65—140) in 270 games with the Griffins over parts of five seasons (2009-10; 2011-15) and helped the team win the 2013 Calder Cup...Ferraro became the 142nd Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he debuted with the Red Wings on March 18, 2014 vs. Toronto…Gerald Mayhew, in his second full pro season with Iowa, is a Wyandotte, Mich., native and skated four seasons with the Ferris State Bulldogs (WCHA) and tallied 119 points (52-67—119) in 150 games from 2013-17…Rookie netminder Kaapo Kahkonen leads the AHL with a 1.12 GAA.

Chicago Notes: Current record 10-6-2-1, 23 points, T3rd Central Division…The Griffins are meeting the Wolves for the second time in three games…Following last Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win, Grand Rapids has won two in a row over Chicago after a six-game winless streak…Last Saturday, the Griffins overcame a two-goal deficit in the first period and Filip Hronek scored the winner in overtime…In the last meeting at Van Andel Arena on Oct. 20, Grand Rapids had its 3-0 lead erased, but rebounded to score two more and take a 5-3 win…The Griffins have faced the Wolves 151 times in the regular season, the second most of any Grand Rapids opponent…Turner Elson leads the Griffins with four points (2-2—4) in the season series…On Oct. 13 at Chicago, rookie David Pope scored his first professional goal and goaltender Patrik Rybar made his North American debut…Brooks Macek, originally drafted 171st overall by the Red Wings in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, tallied a hat trick on Oct. 13…Second-year defenseman Vili Saarijarvi collected his first AHL goal on Oct. 20 vs. Chicago…Griffins first-year head coach Ben Simon and assistant coach Brad Tapper won the Calder Cup as players with the Wolves in 2002, their second consecutive season capturing a league championship together after hoisting the IHL’s Turner Cup with the Orlando Solar Bears in 2001…Simon logged 196 games with Chicago from 2001-03 and 2004-05, registering 87 points (37-50—87) and 192 PIM…Tapper appeared in 98 games with the Wolves from 2001-04, tallying 58 points (24-34—58) and 130 PIM…Tapper served as an assistant with the Wolves from 2014-16…First-year Griffin Jake Chelios made his AHL debut with Chicago on April 11, 2014 at Iowa and went on to skate in 45 games with the Wolves from 2013-15, picking up 16 points (1-15—16)…First-year Griffin Wade Megan totaled 99 points (44-55—99), a plus-34 rating and 109 PIM in 136 games with Chicago from 2016-18…Megan paced the AHL with 33 goals during his first season with the Wolves in 2016-17 and was named to the AHL First All-Star Team.

San Antonio Notes: Current record 8-13-0-0, 16 points, 8th Central Division…San Antonio shut out the Griffins, 4-0, in the first meeting of the year on Oct. 6 in Texas…Grand Rapids has won eight of the last nine meetings overall, as San Antonio’s win on Oct. 6 snapped the Griffins’ eight-game winning streak in the series and gave the Rampage their first victory over GR since March 22, 2016…In the last nine matchups, Grand Rapids is outscoring San Antonio 41-19…The Griffins have claimed four in a row against San Antonio at Van Andel Arena, outgunning the Rampage 19-7 in that stretch…San Antonio places last in the AHL averaging 2.38 goals per game…The Rampage are in their first season as the primary affiliate of the St. Louis Blues after spending the previous three with the Colorado Avalanche…San Antonio is also in its first campaign in the Central Division…Second-year Griffin Turner Elson spent the 2016-17 season with San Antonio and scored three points (1-2—3) while being limited to 13 games due to injury…First-year Griffin Wade Megan made his AHL debut with the Rampage on March 28, 2013 versus Grand Rapids and went on to total 31 points (20-11—31) in 115 games with San Antonio from 2012-15.

Texas Notes: Current record 8-8-1-1, 18 points, 7th Central Division…Ben Simon made his Grand Rapids head coaching debut against Texas on Oct. 5 in the Lone Star State…The Stars won the first meeting of the season in Texas by a 3-1 count…In the last matchup at Van Andel Arena on Oct. 17, Texas scored three times on seven power play opportunities and won 6-3…Grand Rapids is 9-3-0-1 vs. the Stars in its last 13 matchups in West Michigan…Since the 2013-14 season, the Griffins are 15-7-1-1 in 24 games overall against the Stars…Chris Terry shows a team-high two points (1-1—2) in the season series…Interestingly, the Griffins and Stars will be squaring off at the Van on Dec. 1 for the second consecutive season…In 2017, Texas scored the game-tying goal with six seconds remaining and won 5-4 in a shootout…Texas ranks second in power play efficiency at 28.4%...The Stars are a +15 in goal differential in the third period…The Stars have a handful of players with ties to the Mitten: Joel L’Esperance is a native of Brighton and played four seasons (2014-18) at Michigan Tech; Dallas native Colton Hargrove played at Western Michigan from 2012-15; Nicholas Caamano appeared in 154 games with the OHL’s Flint Firebirds from 2015-18; Erik Condra is a native of Trenton; Robbie Payne is from Gaylord, played college hockey at Northern Michigan from 2014-18, and played for the NAHL’s Kalamazoo Jr. K Wings from 2011-13; Shane Hanna played at Michigan Tech from 2013-17; and Ben Gleason is from Ortonville.

Win Some, Lose Some: Compare the statistics between the Griffins’ nine wins and nine (including OT and SO) losses:

Back to Backs: This weekend will mark the seventh of 26 times total this season the Griffins will play on consecutive nights. Grand Rapids has won its last four on the second night.

Photo at top by Mark Newman/Griffins