Griffins dominate AHL, poised for historic playoff clinch Wednesday. Fueled by Shine's career season, this Red Wings affiliate rewrites league records.
While the Detroit Red Wings will not return to the ice until Thursday when they travel east to face the Ottawa Senators, Wednesday brings a major moment within the organization.
The Grand Rapids Griffins are on the verge of becoming the first team in the American Hockey League to clinch a playoff spot this season, and they still have 22 games remaining on the schedule.
Grand Rapids enters Wednesday’s home matchup against the Manitoba Moose with a remarkable 40-7-2-1 record. The Griffins have already secured multiple league records, including the best record through 20, 35, 40 and 50 games in the AHL’s 90-year history.
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The success has come from a balanced roster that blends high-end prospects with experienced veterans capable of contributing at the NHL level. That combination has turned Grand Rapids into one of the most dominant teams the league has seen in decades.
After dropping four games in a six-game stretch, the Griffins have responded with six consecutive wins. The turnaround has been fueled in large part by captain Dominik Shine. With leading scorer John Leonard sidelined due to injury, Shine has elevated his play significantly. Over his last five games, he has recorded six goals and one assist for seven points that saw Shine named the AHL Player of the Week.
The ten-year AHL veteran is enjoying a career-best season, totaling 21 goals and 15 assists for 36 points in 37 games. The 32-year-old from Pinckney, Michigan recently earned his first invitation to the AHL All-Star Classic, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.
Now, Shine and the Griffins have a chance to clinch a playoff berth on home ice, where Grand Rapids holds a dominant 21-5-1-0 record this season.
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