CLOSING TIME

This Week’s Games
Mon., April 11 GRIFFINS at Iowa Wild 8 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Wed., April 13 Lake Erie Monsters at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. ESPN 96.1 FM / AHLLive.com
Fri., April 15 GRIFFINS at Rockford IceHogs 8 p.m. ESPN 96.1 FM / AHLLive.com
Sat., April 16 Bakersfield Condors at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. ESPN 96.1 FM / AHLLive.com

Last Week’s Results
Fri., April 8 Chicago Wolves 3 at GRIFFINS 4 44-25-1-1 (90 points, 2nd Central Division)
Sat., April 9 GRIFFINS 3 at Chicago Wolves 4 44-26-1-1 (90 points, 3rd)


Opening Faceoff: The playoff-bound Griffins are second in the Central Division with a 44-26-1-1 (0.625) record, leading third-place Lake Erie by 0.002 percentage points following the Monsters’ loss on Sunday...Grand Rapids concludes the regular season with a four-game week, beginning at Iowa on Monday night... Grand Rapids is 16-6 in its last 22 contests...The Griffins’ 44 wins are second-best in the conference and third-best in the AHL… Grand Rapids’ 4-3 home win against Chicago last Friday earned the Griffins their 90th point, marking the 12th season in franchise history and fourth consecutive that the Griffins have achieved the 90-point plateau...The Griffins squandered a 3-1 lead at Chicago last Saturday night and lost 4-3...Goals from Tomas Nosek, Tyler Bertuzzi and Colin Campbell helped Grand Rapids stake out an early lead but the Wolves closed the game with three unanswered tallies...The loss last Saturday marked just the third time all season that the Griffins had entered the third period with a lead and did not come away victorious...Saturday’s game concluded the season series against Chicago as the Griffins earned points in seven of eight matchups against the Wolves (6-1-1-0).

Playoff Bound: With Grand Rapids’ 5-2 victory at Rochester on April 3, the Griffins clinched a Calder Cup Playoff berth for the 14th time overall in franchise history and fourth consecutive…Consider that the Griffins lost nine of their first 11 games this season (2-8-0-1) but have rebounded with a 42-18-1-0 mark since, including winning streaks of 15 (franchise record) and 13 games to advance to the postseason…Grand Rapids’ streak of four straight postseason appearances is the second-longest in the club’s 20-year history (5; 1999-2004) and is tied for the third-longest active streak in the AHL (14, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; 5, Toronto; 4, Texas, Providence)…The Griffins own a 74-68 (0.521) all-time record in the postseason and claimed the 2013 Calder Cup…Grand Rapids advanced to the Western Conference Final last season before bowing out to Utica in six games…This season’s berth also marks the fifth time in as many full seasons as an AHL head coach that Todd Nelson has led his team to the Calder Cup Playoffs…In his four previous appearances in the postseason as an AHL head coach – all with the Oklahoma City Barons – Nelson compiled a 20-20 (0.500) record…The Griffins defeated the Nelson-led Barons in the 2013 Western Conference Finals in seven games en route to their Calder Cup championship…This will be Nelson’s second appearance in the postseason as a coach with the Griffins as he served as an assistant on Danton Cole’s staff during the team’s run to the 2003 Western Conference Finals…As a player, Nelson played in 25 playoff games for Grand Rapids (1997, 1998, 2002) and recorded three points (1-2—3)…Assistant coaches Bruce Ramsay and Ben Simon also have playoff experience with the Griffins as Ramsay played in four games during the 1997 Turner Cup Playoffs and Simon appeared in seven games during the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs.

This Week’s Promotions: On Wednesday against Lake Erie, the Griffins, in partnership with Michigan Office Solutions and Pepsi, will hold a Water for Flint collection drive. On Saturday against Bakersfield, the Griffins’ 20th anniversary jerseys will be autographed and auctioned off to the public after the game in the Intermission Restaurant.

Saarijarvi Reassigned to Grand Rapids: The Detroit Red Wings on Monday reassigned defenseman Vili Saarijarvi to the Griffins from the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. Assigned to Toledo on March 28, Saarijarvi appeared in five games for the Walleye and accumulated four points (1-3—4). Detroit’s second choice (73rd overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Saarijarvi also played in 59 games this season for the OHL’s Flint Firebirds. The 5-foot-10, 163-pound blueliner ranked third on the team in points (12-31—43), fifth in goals (12) and second in assists (31). Among OHL defensemen, Saarijarvi tied for ninth in points, tied for 16th in assists, tied for seventh in goals, tied for the lead with eight power play goals and ranked second in shots (219).

Current Playoff Picture:

Home-Ice Importance: In the Central Division, Milwaukee has clinched the division title while Grand Rapids, Lake Erie and Rockford have all secured a playoff berth…The top two teams in the division will have home-ice advantage for the first round…The Griffins are currently positioned second, 0.002 percentage points ahead of Lake Erie and own the tiebreaker over Lake Erie and Rockford…Against Central Division opponents at home, the Griffins are 22-4-1-0 (0.833), including a combined 11-2-0-0 mark against Rockford (3-1), Milwaukee (4-0) and Lake Erie (4-1)…Averaging 8,425 fans per home game this season, the Griffins have achieved an average attendance increase at Van Andel Arena for the sixth straight season and the ninth time in the last 10 years…Last Friday’s home win against Chicago marked the fifth sellout of the season…Grand Rapids has taken full advantage of the raucous crowd support, tying for the league lead with 25 home victories and winning eight of its last nine...The club record for home wins in a season is 31, set back in 2000-01 when the league played an 82-game schedule.

Russo’s Awards x2: Griffins rookie defenseman Robbie Russo became the first player in the franchise’s 20-year history to earn both All-Rookie and All-Star Team accolades in the same season after he was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team. He is the 16th player in team history – and fourth defenseman – selected to a year-end All-Star Team and the first Griffins rookie ever to be named a first or second team All-Star. Since the league’s inception of the All-Rookie Team in 1996-97, Russo becomes the 17th player overall and the seventh defenseman to earn both All-Rookie and All-Star Team selections in the same season. He is one of three rookies just this season to be named to both teams, joining Mikko Rantanen (San Antonio) and Brandon Montour (San Diego). In his first pro campaign after a stellar four-year collegiate career at Notre Dame, Russo has tallied five goals and 34 assists (5-34—39) in 67 games for Grand Rapids, while posting a league-leading plus-45 rating. Russo, who has been on the ice for only 30 even-strength goals by the opposition all season, has also contributed offensively, as he is tied for third among AHL rookie defensemen and tied for 14th among all league blueliners in scoring. His 39 points have established a new Griffins record for rookie defensemen while ranking eighth on the team’s all-time rookie scoring list. Russo’s 34 assists are already the most ever by a rookie defenseman, and he is just two shy of tying Gustav Nyquist’s record for assists by a first-year Griffin (36 in 2011-12).

Red Wings Extend Streak: The Detroit Red Wings are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 25th consecutive season. Detroit’s roster contains nearly two dozen Griffins alumni, including first-year head coach Jeff Blashill, who led the Griffins to the 2013 Calder Cup Championship during his three-year tenure in Grand Rapids.

Three-Year Playoff Reunion: The first-round NHL playoff series between the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning will feature 16 players who participated in the AHL’s 2013 Calder Cup Finals, which saw the Griffins defeat the Syracuse Crunch in six games. Participants included Detroit’s Joakim Andersson, Danny DeKeyser, Luke Glendening, Tomas Jurco, Petr Mrazek, Gustav Nyquist, Teemu Pulkkinen (did not dress), Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar (named playoff MVP), along with Tampa Bay’s J.T. Brown, Tyler Johnson, Vladislav Namestnikov, Ondrej Palat, Cedric Paquette, Andrej Sustr and Matt Taormina.

Bakersfield Bookend: The Griffins will close out the regular season the same way they started, with a matchup against the Bakersfield Condors. Grand Rapids opened its 20th season of play with a 1-0 loss at Bakersfield on Oct. 9. When the Condors make the return trip to west Michigan on Saturday to wrap up the 2015-16 campaign, it will mark the second-ever meeting between the clubs.

Welcome Back: After missing the last 41 games due to injury, Triston Grant made his return to the lineup last Saturday at Chicago...Playing in his fifth game of the season and first since Jan. 3 at Manitoba, Grant did not record a point but did accumulate 19 penalty minutes...Grant also missed the season’s first 26 games due to injury...On Sunday, the Detroit Red Wings assigned Anthony Mantha to Grand Rapids...Mantha became the 154th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he debuted with the Red Wings during their 4-3 loss at Philadelphia on March 15...Recalled on March 14, Mantha suited up in 10 games for the Wings and recorded three points (2-1—3)...His first NHL goal came in game-winning fashion, helping Detroit to a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on March 24.

Magnificent Miele: Andy Miele has accumulated 106 goals and 202 assists in five AHL seasons (three in Portland, two in Grand Rapids). Miele’s 308 regular-season points rank as the second-most in the AHL since he made his debut on Oct. 8, 2011.

Griffins Leaders: Andy Miele has points in five of the last six games (4-3—7) and leads the Griffins in both points (18-41—59) and assists (41)…Miele is tied for seventh in the league in points…Second on the team in points and tied for 14th in the AHL (27-28—55), Eric Tangradi has points in four of the last five (2-3—5)…Tangradi and Martin Frk are tied for the team lead in goals with 27 and tie for fourth overall in the league...Colin Campbell has goals in the last two...Mark Zengerle has six points in the last five games (2-4—6)...Among league defensemen, rookie Robbie Russo is tied for 14th in point production (5-34—39) and is tied for sixth in assists (34)...Russo leads the league in plus/minus at +45.

On the Plus Side: All 19 Griffins skaters who have appeared in 20 or more games this season post a positive plus/minus rating. Rookie Robbie Russo paces the league at +45. Russo has been on the ice 33 times when the opponent scores and that includes three power play goals and two empty netters. As Russo climbs the AHL’s all-time list for single season plus/minus rating, take a look at the top 10 (the league began keeping the stat in 1991-92):

Stone Wall: Grand Rapids is the only team to place two goaltenders in both the top 10 for goals against average and the top five for save percentage. Tom McCollum is tied for fourth in GAA (2.27) and third in save percentage (0.930) while Jared Coreau is eighth in GAA (2.39) and fourth in save percentage (0.923). McCollum’s 0.930 would currently tie for second on the team’s single-season top 10 list with Martin Prusek in 2001-02 while Coreau’s 0.923 would tie for eighth. The Griffins’ overall save percentage mark of 0.922 (including empty-net goals allowed) would place second all-time behind only the 2003-04 team (Joey MacDonald and Marc Lamothe as primary goalies) that posted a 0.929 save percentage.

Terrific Tom: Grand Rapids’ all-time leader in appearances (223) and saves (5,590), goaltender Tom McCollum earned his 103rd victory as a Griffin last Friday against Chicago as he continues to chase down the club record for wins (Joey MacDonald, 109). Over his last 12 appearances, McCollum shows an impressive line of a 1.65 GAA and a 0.947 save percentage to go along with a 10-1-0 mark. His seven career shutouts tie him with current Detroit Red Wing Petr Mrazek for sixth on the franchise’s all-time list.

Consistent Coreau: Despite dropping his last four decisions, Jared Coreau remains one of the AHL’s elite goaltenders this season, placing in the top 10 for wins (29, tied for third), shutouts (six, third), goals against average (2.39, eighth) and save percentage (0.923, fourth). Coreau recorded his sixth shutout of the season at Chicago on March 13, equaling a club record for bagels in a season reached five times previously and most recently by Jimmy Howard in 2006-07. His shutout against the Wolves also marked Coreau’s fourth road blanking of the season, setting a new club record. Coreau’s 29 wins tie him for fifth with Jani Hurme (1999-00) on the team’s single-season list.

One Last Time: The Griffins own a 7-11-0-1 (0.395) all-time mark in season finales, including a 3-3-0-0 record in games played at Van Andel Arena. In the seven seasons Grand Rapids has won its last game of the season, the Griffins have gone on to play in the postseason in four of those years and post a 29-22 (0.568) playoff record, including claiming the 2013 Calder Cup Championship. In the 11 seasons where they have lost the final game, the Griffins have played in the playoffs nine times and show a 45-46 (0.495) record.

Clear Influence: A veteran of over 1,100 professional games including 938 in the NHL, 37-year-old Daniel Cleary has made his presence felt on the ice during his first season as a Griffin. Despite Cleary registering only 15 points (3-12—15) on the season, in the 35 games the 19th year pro is in the lineup the Griffins post a staggering 27-7-1-0 (0.786) record.

Win Some and Lose Some: The Griffins own a 44-26-1-1 (0.625) record through 72 games. Take a look at how Grand Rapids’ numbers stack up between its 44 wins and 28 (including overtime and shootout) losses:

Back-to-Back-to-Backs: Compare the statistics for when the Griffins play on consecutive nights:

Free Hockey: In their 11 games that have gone to either overtime or a shootout, the Griffins post a 0.818 winning percentage – second-highest in the league (8-1 OT, 1-1 SO).

Goal Scoring: One of five teams to rank inside the top 10 in both goals for and goals against per game, the Griffins are the only ones to place in the top five in each category (goals for, 3.24, fourth; goals against, 2.50, fifth).

Magic Numbers: The Griffins are 40-5-1-0 when scoring three or more goals and 32-5-0-0 when allowing two or fewer…Grand Rapids is 24-5-0-0 when leading after one period and 30-3-0-0 when leading after two…The Griffins’ 40 first goals are seventh-most in the league while showing a 31-8-1-0 mark when striking first.

Against the Best: The Griffins own a 27-16-0-1 (0.625) mark against teams with a winning record this season, including an 18-13-0-1 (0.578) mark against teams with a winning percentage greater than 0.600 thru April 10. Grand Rapids will face opponents with a combined winning percentage of 0.530 over its final four contests.

Random Fact of the Day: Nyquist, one of the early favorites for next month’s Kentucky Derby, is named after current Detroit Red Wing and former Griffin Gustav Nyquist. The two-year-old horse is owned by Paul Reddam, a Red Wings fan.

Walleye World: Champions of the ECHL’s North Division, the top-seeded Toledo Walleye will play the No. 8-seeded Reading Royals in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals that start on Friday in Toledo. The Walleye are led on offense by former Griffin Shane Berschbach (24-43—67) and Tyler Sikura (16-32—48). Rookie netminder Jake Paterson, Detroit’s second pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, finished the regular season with an 18-9-1-1 record, a 2.21 GAA and a 0.923 save percentage while former Michigan State Spartan Jeff Lerg posted a line of 28-11-1-2, a 2.17 GAA and a 0.925 save percentage.

Scouting Report

Monday, April 11 at Iowa Wild (23-39-5-5) – Wells Fargo Arena – 8 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 7:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com. All-Time Series: 9-1-0-0 Road, 18-3-0-0 Overall. Season Series: 2-1-0-0 Road, 6-1-0-0 Overall. Eighth of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at Wells Fargo Arena. NHL Affiliation: Minnesota Wild. Interim Head Coach: David Cunniff. Notes: The Wild have been eliminated from playoff contention and rank eighth in the Central Division, 15th in the Western Conference and 30th in the AHL with an 23-39-5-5 record (0.389)…Iowa is on a four-game point streak (2-0-1-1)…The Griffins suffered their first ever defeat at Wells Fargo Arena back on Feb. 12 (2-4 L)...In 10 appearances at Wells Fargo, Grand Rapids is outscoring Iowa 33-17...Grand Rapids’ largest comeback of the season came against the Wild on Dec. 13 when Xavier Ouellet’s tally in overtime capped a stretch of four unanswered goals after the Griffins dug themselves a 3-0 deficit...Iowa has a league-low 10 home wins this season...The Wild are being outscored 78-42 in the third period...Zack Mitchell (21-19—40) leads the team in points.

Wednesday, April 13 vs. Lake Erie Monsters (40-22-6-5) – Van Andel Arena – 7 p.m.
Radio: ESPN 96.1 FM at 6:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com. All-Time Series: 22-11-1-1 Home, 38-23-3-7 Overall. Season Series: 4-1-0-0 Home, 7-3-0-1 Overall. 12th of 12 meetings overall, sixth of six at Van Andel Arena. NHL Affiliation: Columbus Blue Jackets. Head Coach: Jared Bednar (1st season). Notes: The Lake Erie Monsters are third in the Central Division, fourth in the Western Conference and seventh in the AHL with a 40-22-6-5 record (0.623)…Lake Erie has clinched a playoff berth and will be heading to the postseason for the second time in franchise history…Monsters head coach Jared Bednar played for the Griffins during their 1998-99 IHL campaign, racking up 21 points (3-18—21) and a team-high 220 PIM in 74 games…Lake Erie is 7-2-1-0 in its last 10…Lake Erie trails Grand Rapids by just 0.002 percentage points for second in the division…The Monsters are 17-14-5-1 on the road…The Monsters are responsible for snapping the Griffins’ franchise record 15-game winning streak on Dec. 27…Five of the previous 11 meetings this season have been decided in overtime or a shootout…Four of the Griffins’ seven wins against the Monsters have come in an extra session…The Griffins have won seven of the last nine against the Monsters this season after dropping the first two.

Friday, April 15 at Rockford IceHogs (37-22-10-4) – BMO Harris Bank Center – 8 p.m.
Radio: ESPN 96.1 FM at 7:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com. All-Time Series: 10-14-2-3 Road, 29-22-3-5 Overall. Season Series: 3-1-0-0 Road, 5-2-0-0 Overall. Eighth meeting of eight overall, fourth of four at BMO Harris Bank Center. NHL Affiliation: Chicago Blackhawks. Head Coach: Ted Dent (5th season). Notes: The Rockford IceHogs rank fourth in the Central Division, sixth in the Western Conference and 11th overall with a 37-22-10-4 record (0.603)...Rockford has clinched a playoff berth and will be heading to the postseason for the fifth time in franchise history…The IceHogs are 3-5-2-0 over their last 10 games and have lost their last three...Rockford is 21-9-3-3 at home, edging out its visitors by a margin of 99-92…Rookie Vinnie Hinostroza leads the IceHogs in points (16-30—36), while Mark McNeill is the leading goal scorer (22-21—43)…Grand Rapids’ 9-1 win at Rockford on Feb. 5 tied a Griffins franchise record for largest margin of victory…The eight-goal margin also marked the largest ever home loss for the IceHogs in the team’s AHL era…Mitch Callahan recorded his third career hat trick and a career-best five points (3-2—5) in Feb. 5’s victory...Rockford owns a 0.500 record or better against all of its opponents this season, except Grand Rapids (2-3-2-0) and Manitoba (0-4-0-0).

Saturday, April 16 vs. Bakersfield Condors (28-28-7-2) – Van Andel Arena – 7 p.m.
Radio: ESPN 96.1 FM at 6:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com. All-Time Series: 0-0-0-0 Home, 0-1-0-0 Overall. Season Series: Second of two meetings overall, first and last at Van Andel Arena. 0-0-0-0 Home, 0-1-0-0 Overall. NHL Affiliation: Edmonton Oilers. Head Coach: Gerry Fleming. Notes: The Bakersfield Condors have been eliminated from playoff contention and rank sixth in the Pacific Division, 11th in the Western Conference and tied for 21st in the league with a 28-28-7-2 (0.500) record…Bakersfield will be playing its first ever game at Van Andel Arena on Saturday…Saturday’s game will also be just the sixth time Grand Rapids has hosted a team from California (1-3 vs. Long Beach Ice Dogs in IHL, 1-0 vs. San Diego Gulls)…Grand Rapids was shut out 1-0 in the first ever meeting between the two teams, Oct. 9 at Bakersfield…The Condors are 2-6-2-0 in their last 10 and are winless in the last four (0-3-1-0)…Bakersfield is 12-15-4-1 in road games this year including a 1-7 mark in contests played outside the state of California…The Condors rank eighth in goals for per game (3.05) but are 29th in goals against (3.31)…Matthew Ford is tops on the team in points (26-21—27).

This Week’s Games
Mon., April 11 GRIFFINS at Iowa Wild 8 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Wed., April 13 Lake Erie Monsters at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Fri., April 15 GRIFFINS at Rockford IceHogs 8 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com
Sat., April 16 Bakersfield Condors at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM / AHLLive.com

Last Week’s Results
Fri., April 8 Chicago Wolves 3 at GRIFFINS 4 44-25-1-1 (90 points, 2nd Central Division)
Sat., April 9 GRIFFINS 3 at Chicago Wolves 4 44-26-1-1 (90 points, 3rd)


Opening Faceoff: The playoff-bound Griffins are second in the Central Division with a 44-26-1-1 (0.625) record, leading third-place Lake Erie by 0.002 percentage points following the Monsters’ loss on Sunday...Grand Rapids concludes the regular season with a four-game week, beginning at Iowa on Monday night... Grand Rapids is 16-6 in its last 22 contests...The Griffins’ 44 wins are second-best in the conference and third-best in the AHL… Grand Rapids’ 4-3 home win against Chicago last Friday earned the Griffins their 90th point, marking the 12th season in franchise history and fourth consecutive that the Griffins have achieved the 90-point plateau...The Griffins squandered a 3-1 lead at Chicago last Saturday night and lost 4-3...Goals from Tomas Nosek, Tyler Bertuzzi and Colin Campbell helped Grand Rapids stake out an early lead but the Wolves closed the game with three unanswered tallies...The loss last Saturday marked just the third time all season that the Griffins had entered the third period with a lead and did not come away victorious...Saturday’s game concluded the season series against Chicago as the Griffins earned points in seven of eight matchups against the Wolves (6-1-1-0).

Playoff Bound: With Grand Rapids’ 5-2 victory at Rochester on April 3, the Griffins clinched a Calder Cup Playoff berth for the 14th time overall in franchise history and fourth consecutive…Consider that the Griffins lost nine of their first 11 games this season (2-8-0-1) but have rebounded with a 42-18-1-0 mark since, including winning streaks of 15 (franchise record) and 13 games to advance to the postseason…Grand Rapids’ streak of four straight postseason appearances is the second-longest in the club’s 20-year history (5; 1999-2004) and is tied for the third-longest active streak in the AHL (14, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; 5, Toronto; 4, Texas, Providence)…The Griffins own a 74-68 (0.521) all-time record in the postseason and claimed the 2013 Calder Cup…Grand Rapids advanced to the Western Conference Final last season before bowing out to Utica in six games…This season’s berth also marks the fifth time in as many full seasons as an AHL head coach that Todd Nelson has led his team to the Calder Cup Playoffs…In his four previous appearances in the postseason as an AHL head coach – all with the Oklahoma City Barons – Nelson compiled a 20-20 (0.500) record…The Griffins defeated the Nelson-led Barons in the 2013 Western Conference Finals in seven games en route to their Calder Cup championship…This will be Nelson’s second appearance in the postseason as a coach with the Griffins as he served as an assistant on Danton Cole’s staff during the team’s run to the 2003 Western Conference Finals…As a player, Nelson played in 25 playoff games for Grand Rapids (1997, 1998, 2002) and recorded three points (1-2—3)…Assistant coaches Bruce Ramsay and Ben Simon also have playoff experience with the Griffins as Ramsay played in four games during the 1997 Turner Cup Playoffs and Simon appeared in seven games during the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs.

This Week’s Promotions: On Wednesday against Lake Erie, the Griffins, in partnership with Michigan Office Solutions and Pepsi, will hold a Water for Flint collection drive. On Saturday against Bakersfield, the Griffins’ 20th anniversary jerseys will be autographed and auctioned off to the public after the game in the Intermission Restaurant.

Saarijarvi Reassigned to Grand Rapids: The Detroit Red Wings on Monday reassigned defenseman Vili Saarijarvi to the Griffins from the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. Assigned to Toledo on March 28, Saarijarvi appeared in five games for the Walleye and accumulated four points (1-3—4). Detroit’s second choice (73rd overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Saarijarvi also played in 59 games this season for the OHL’s Flint Firebirds. The 5-foot-10, 163-pound blueliner ranked third on the team in points (12-31—43), fifth in goals (12) and second in assists (31). Among OHL defensemen, Saarijarvi tied for ninth in points, tied for 16th in assists, tied for seventh in goals, tied for the lead with eight power play goals and ranked second in shots (219).

Home-Ice Importance: In the Central Division, Milwaukee has clinched the division title while Grand Rapids, Lake Erie and Rockford have all secured a playoff berth…The top two teams in the division will have home-ice advantage for the first round…The Griffins are currently positioned second, 0.002 percentage points ahead of Lake Erie and own the tiebreaker over Lake Erie and Rockford…Against Central Division opponents at home, the Griffins are 22-4-1-0 (0.833), including a combined 11-2-0-0 mark against Rockford (3-1), Milwaukee (4-0) and Lake Erie (4-1)…Averaging 8,425 fans per home game this season, the Griffins have achieved an average attendance increase at Van Andel Arena for the sixth straight season and the ninth time in the last 10 years…Last Friday’s home win against Chicago marked the fifth sellout of the season…Grand Rapids has taken full advantage of the raucous crowd support, tying for the league lead with 25 home victories and winning eight of its last nine...The club record for home wins in a season is 31, set back in 2000-01 when the league played an 82-game schedule.

Russo’s Awards x2: Griffins rookie defenseman Robbie Russo became the first player in the franchise’s 20-year history to earn both All-Rookie and All-Star Team accolades in the same season after he was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team. He is the 16th player in team history – and fourth defenseman – selected to a year-end All-Star Team and the first Griffins rookie ever to be named a first or second team All-Star. Since the league’s inception of the All-Rookie Team in 1996-97, Russo becomes the 17th player overall and the seventh defenseman to earn both All-Rookie and All-Star Team selections in the same season. He is one of three rookies just this season to be named to both teams, joining Mikko Rantanen (San Antonio) and Brandon Montour (San Diego). In his first pro campaign after a stellar four-year collegiate career at Notre Dame, Russo has tallied five goals and 34 assists (5-34—39) in 67 games for Grand Rapids, while posting a league-leading plus-45 rating. Russo, who has been on the ice for only 30 even-strength goals by the opposition all season, has also contributed offensively, as he is tied for third among AHL rookie defensemen and tied for 14th among all league blueliners in scoring. His 39 points have established a new Griffins record for rookie defensemen while ranking eighth on the team’s all-time rookie scoring list. Russo’s 34 assists are already the most ever by a rookie defenseman, and he is just two shy of tying Gustav Nyquist’s record for assists by a first-year Griffin (36 in 2011-12).

Red Wings Extend Streak: The Detroit Red Wings are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 25th consecutive season. Detroit’s roster contains nearly two dozen Griffins alumni, including first-year head coach Jeff Blashill, who led the Griffins to the 2013 Calder Cup Championship during his three-year tenure in Grand Rapids.

Three-Year Playoff Reunion: The first-round NHL playoff series between the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning will feature 16 players who participated in the AHL’s 2013 Calder Cup Finals, which saw the Griffins defeat the Syracuse Crunch in six games. Participants included Detroit’s Joakim Andersson, Danny DeKeyser, Luke Glendening, Tomas Jurco, Petr Mrazek, Gustav Nyquist, Teemu Pulkkinen (did not dress), Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar (named playoff MVP), along with Tampa Bay’s J.T. Brown, Tyler Johnson, Vladislav Namestnikov, Ondrej Palat, Cedric Paquette, Andrej Sustr and Matt Taormina.

Bakersfield Bookend: The Griffins will close out the regular season the same way they started, with a matchup against the Bakersfield Condors. Grand Rapids opened its 20th season of play with a 1-0 loss at Bakersfield on Oct. 9. When the Condors make the return trip to west Michigan on Saturday to wrap up the 2015-16 campaign, it will mark the second-ever meeting between the clubs.

Welcome Back: After missing the last 41 games due to injury, Triston Grant made his return to the lineup on Saturday at Chicago...Playing in his fifth game of the season and first since Jan. 3 at Manitoba, Grant did not record a point but did accumulate 19 penalty minutes...Grant also missed the season’s first 26 games due to injury...On Sunday, the Detroit Red Wings assigned Anthony Mantha to Grand Rapids...Mantha became the 154th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he debuted with the Red Wings during their 4-3 loss at Philadelphia on March 15...Recalled on March 14, Mantha suited up in 10 games for the Wings and recorded three points (2-1—3)...His first NHL goal came in game-winning fashion, helping Detroit to a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on March 24.

Griffins Leaders: Andy Miele has points in five of the last six games (4-3—7) and leads the Griffins in both points (18-41—59) and assists (41)…Miele is tied for seventh in the league in points…Second on the team in points and tied for 14th in the AHL (27-28—55), Eric Tangradi has points in four of the last five (2-3—5)…Tangradi and Martin Frk are tied for the team lead in goals with 27 and tie for fourth overall in the league...Colin Campbell has goals in the last two...Mark Zengerle has six points in the last five games (2-4—6)...Among league defensemen, rookie Robbie Russo is tied for 14th in point production (5-34—39) and is tied for sixth in assists (34)...Russo leads the league in plus/minus at +45.

On the Plus Side: All 19 Griffins skaters who have appeared in 20 or more games this season post a positive plus/minus rating. Rookie Robbie Russo paces the league at +45. Russo has been on the ice 33 times when the opponent scores and that includes three power play goals and two empty netters.

Stone Wall: Grand Rapids is the only team to place two goaltenders in both the top 10 for goals against average and the top five for save percentage. Tom McCollum is tied for fourth in GAA (2.27) and third in save percentage (0.930) while Jared Coreau is eighth in GAA (2.39) and fourth in save percentage (0.923). McCollum’s 0.930 would currently tie for second on the team’s single-season top 10 list with Martin Prusek in 2001-02 while Coreau’s 0.923 would tie for eighth. The Griffins’ overall save percentage mark of 0.922 (including empty-net goals allowed) would place second all-time behind only the 2003-04 team (Joey MacDonald and Marc Lamothe as primary goalies) that posted a 0.929 save percentage.

Terrific Tom: Grand Rapids’ all-time leader in appearances (223) and saves (5,590), goaltender Tom McCollum earned his 103rd victory as a Griffin last Friday against Chicago as he continues to chase down the club record for wins (Joey MacDonald, 109). Over his last 12 appearances, McCollum shows an impressive line of a 1.65 GAA and a 0.947 save percentage to go along with a 10-1-0 mark. His seven career shutouts tie him with current Detroit Red Wing Petr Mrazek for sixth on the franchise’s all-time list.

Consistent Coreau: Despite dropping his last four decisions, Jared Coreau remains one of the AHL’s elite goaltenders this season, placing in the top 10 for wins (29, tied for third), shutouts (six, third), goals against average (2.39, eighth) and save percentage (0.923, fourth). Coreau recorded his sixth shutout of the season at Chicago on March 13, equaling a club record for bagels in a season reached five times previously and most recently by Jimmy Howard in 2006-07. His shutout against the Wolves also marked Coreau’s fourth road blanking of the season, setting a new club record. Coreau’s 29 wins tie him for fifth with Jani Hurme (1999-00) on the team’s single-season list.

One Last Time: The Griffins own a 7-11-0-1 (0.395) all-time mark in season finales, including a 3-3-0-0 record in games played at Van Andel Arena. In the seven seasons Grand Rapids has won its last game of the season, the Griffins have gone on to play in the postseason in four of those years and post a 29-22 (0.568) playoff record, including claiming the 2013 Calder Cup Championship. In the 11 seasons where they have lost the final game, the Griffins have played in the playoffs nine times and show a 45-46 (0.495) record.

Clear Influence: A veteran of over 1,100 professional games including 938 in the NHL, 37-year-old Daniel Cleary has made his presence felt on the ice during his first season as a Griffin. Despite Cleary registering only 15 points (3-12—15) on the season, in the 35 games the 19th year pro is in the lineup the Griffins post a staggering 27-7-1-0 (0.786) record.

Free Hockey: In their 11 games that have gone to either overtime or a shootout, the Griffins post a 0.818 winning percentage – second-highest in the league (8-1 OT, 1-1 SO).

Goal Scoring: One of five teams to rank inside the top 10 in both goals for and goals against per game, the Griffins are the only ones to place in the top five in each category (goals for, 3.24, fourth; goals against, 2.50, fifth).

Magic Numbers: The Griffins are 40-5-1-0 when scoring three or more goals and 32-5-0-0 when allowing two or fewer…Grand Rapids is 24-5-0-0 when leading after one period and 30-3-0-0 when leading after two…The Griffins’ 40 first goals are seventh-most in the league while showing a 31-8-1-0 mark when striking first.

Against the Best: The Griffins own a 27-16-0-1 (0.625) mark against teams with a winning record this season, including an 18-13-0-1 (0.578) mark against teams with a winning percentage greater than 0.600 thru April 10. Grand Rapids will face opponents with a combined winning percentage of 0.530 over its final four contests.

Random Fact of the Day: Nyquist, one of the early favorites for next month’s Kentucky Derby, is named after current Detroit Red Wing and former Griffin Gustav Nyquist. The two-year-old horse is owned by Paul Reddam, a Red Wings fan.

Walleye World: Champions of the ECHL’s North Division, the top-seeded Toledo Walleye will play the No. 8-seeded Reading Royals in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals that start on Friday in Toledo. The Walleye are led on offense by former Griffin Shane Berschbach (24-43—67) and Tyler Sikura (16-32—48). Rookie netminder Jake Paterson, Detroit’s second pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, finished the regular season with an 18-9-1-1 record, a 2.21 GAA and a 0.923 save percentage while former Michigan State Spartan Jeff Lerg posted a line of 28-11-1-2, a 2.17 GAA and a 0.925 save percentage.

Scouting Report

Monday, April 11 at Iowa Wild (23-39-5-5) – Wells Fargo Arena – 8 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 7:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com. All-Time Series: 9-1-0-0 Road, 18-3-0-0 Overall. Season Series: 2-1-0-0 Road, 6-1-0-0 Overall. Eighth of eight meetings overall, fourth of four at Wells Fargo Arena. NHL Affiliation: Minnesota Wild. Interim Head Coach: David Cunniff. Notes: The Wild have been eliminated from playoff contention and rank eighth in the Central Division, 15th in the Western Conference and 30th in the AHL with an 23-39-5-5 record (0.389)…Iowa is on a four-game point streak (2-0-1-1)…The Griffins suffered their first ever defeat at Wells Fargo Arena back on Feb. 12 (2-4 L)...In 10 appearances at Wells Fargo, Grand Rapids is outscoring Iowa 33-17...Grand Rapids’ largest comeback of the season came against the Wild on Dec. 13 when Xavier Ouellet’s tally in overtime capped a stretch of four unanswered goals after the Griffins dug themselves a 3-0 deficit...Iowa has a league-low 10 home wins this season...The Wild are being outscored 78-42 in the third period...Zack Mitchell (21-19—40) leads the team in points.

Wednesday, April 13 vs. Lake Erie Monsters (40-22-6-5) – Van Andel Arena – 7 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 6:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com. All-Time Series: 22-11-1-1 Home, 38-23-3-7 Overall. Season Series: 4-1-0-0 Home, 7-3-0-1 Overall. 12th of 12 meetings overall, sixth of six at Van Andel Arena. NHL Affiliation: Columbus Blue Jackets. Head Coach: Jared Bednar (1st season). Notes: The Lake Erie Monsters are third in the Central Division, fourth in the Western Conference and seventh in the AHL with a 40-22-6-5 record (0.623)…Lake Erie has clinched a playoff berth and will be heading to the postseason for the second time in franchise history…Monsters head coach Jared Bednar played for the Griffins during their 1998-99 IHL campaign, racking up 21 points (3-18—21) and a team-high 220 PIM in 74 games…Lake Erie is 7-2-1-0 in its last 10…Lake Erie trails Grand Rapids by just 0.002 percentage points for second in the division…The Monsters are 17-14-5-1 on the road…The Monsters are responsible for snapping the Griffins’ franchise record 15-game winning streak on Dec. 27…Five of the previous 11 meetings this season have been decided in overtime or a shootout…Four of the Griffins’ seven wins against the Monsters have come in an extra session…The Griffins have won seven of the last nine against the Monsters this season after dropping the first two.

Friday, April 15 at Rockford IceHogs (37-22-10-4) – BMO Harris Bank Center – 8 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 7:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com. All-Time Series: 10-14-2-3 Road, 29-22-3-5 Overall. Season Series: 3-1-0-0 Road, 5-2-0-0 Overall. Eighth meeting of eight overall, fourth of four at BMO Harris Bank Center. NHL Affiliation: Chicago Blackhawks. Head Coach: Ted Dent (5th season). Notes: The Rockford IceHogs rank fourth in the Central Division, sixth in the Western Conference and 11th overall with a 37-22-10-4 record (0.603)...Rockford has clinched a playoff berth and will be heading to the postseason for the fifth time in franchise history…The IceHogs are 3-5-2-0 over their last 10 games and have lost their last three...Rockford is 21-9-3-3 at home, edging out its visitors by a margin of 99-92…Rookie Vinnie Hinostroza leads the IceHogs in points (16-30—36), while Mark McNeill is the leading goal scorer (22-21—43)…Grand Rapids’ 9-1 win at Rockford on Feb. 5 tied a Griffins franchise record for largest margin of victory…The eight-goal margin also marked the largest ever home loss for the IceHogs in the team’s AHL era…Mitch Callahan recorded his third career hat trick and a career-best five points (3-2—5) in Feb. 5’s victory...Rockford owns a 0.500 record or better against all of its opponents this season, except Grand Rapids (2-3-2-0) and Manitoba (0-4-0-0).

Saturday, April 16 vs. Bakersfield Condors (28-28-7-2) – Van Andel Arena – 7 p.m.
Radio: WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM at 6:35 p.m. Web Casts: Video web cast at AHLLive.com. All-Time Series: 0-0-0-0 Home, 0-1-0-0 Overall. Season Series: Second of two meetings overall, first and last at Van Andel Arena. 0-0-0-0 Home, 0-1-0-0 Overall. NHL Affiliation: Edmonton Oilers. Head Coach: Gerry Fleming. Notes: The Bakersfield Condors have been eliminated from playoff contention and rank sixth in the Pacific Division, 11th in the Western Conference and tied for 21st in the league with a 28-28-7-2 (0.500) record…Bakersfield will be playing its first ever game at Van Andel Arena on Saturday…Saturday’s game will also be just the sixth time Grand Rapids has hosted a team from California (1-3 vs. Long Beach Ice Dogs in IHL, 1-0 vs. San Diego Gulls)…Grand Rapids was shut out 1-0 in the first ever meeting between the two teams, Oct. 9 at Bakersfield…The Condors are 2-6-2-0 in their last 10 and are winless in the last four (0-3-1-0)…Bakersfield is 12-15-4-1 in road games this year including a 1-7 mark in contests played outside the state of California…The Condors rank eighth in goals for per game (3.05) but are 29th in goals against (3.31)…Matthew Ford is tops on the team in points (26-21—27).