Griffins chase franchise-record momentum against struggling IceHogs and Checkers, fueling their historic undefeated start.
The Grand Rapids Griffins head into a pivotal three-game week looking to continue their historic start to the season, beginning Wednesday night against the Rockford IceHogs at BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. The Griffins hold a 76-52-11-11 all-time record in this matchup, including a 32-32-5-6 mark on the road.
Rockford started the season hot with six wins in their first eight games, but the IceHogs have struggled since, going 1-5-1-1 and entering Wednesday on a three-game winless skid. Grand Rapids will aim to capitalize on Rockford’s recent struggles and extend their own franchise-record momentum.
After facing Rockford, the Griffins return home for a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday against the Charlotte Checkers. Grand Rapids holds an 18-17-0-1 all-time record against Charlotte but has struggled at home with eight wins over their last 18 contests at Van Andel Arena.
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Grand Rapids has launched its season in spectacular fashion, compiling a 10-0-0-1 record. The team kicked off the campaign with an 8-0 run, marking the best start by an AHL team in the past four years and making the Griffins the last remaining undefeated team in the league, a feat the franchise hasn’t achieved since the 2000-01 IHL season. With 21 points through 11 games, they have already surpassed the previous franchise record of 19 points set during that same 2000-01 season.
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The Griffins are excelling at both ends of the rink, averaging a league-high 4.09 goals per game while outscoring opponents 45-24, the second-highest goal total in the first 11 games in team history. Leading this potent offense is forward John Leonard, who is off to a historic start. The 27-year-old tops the team with ten goals and four assists, totaling 14 points. Leonard’s goal streak of six consecutive games ranks as the third-longest in franchise history, while his current nine-game point streak matches Riley Barber’s record for the most consecutive games with a point to start a season.
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Also contributing in a big way is Red Wings prospect Amadeus Lombardi, who leads the team with 11 assists in 11 games and riding a seven-game point streak, adding depth to a talented roster. Grand Rapids has found a perfect mix of young and old on their team this season with prospects like Carter Mazur and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard with veteran leaders such as Leonard, Griffins captain Dominik Shine, Austin Watson, and defensemen Erik Gustafsson, Justin Holl, Ian Mitchell, and William Lagesson. Despite the AHL’s development rule requiring two veterans to sit per game, the veteran contingent has combined for 26 goals.
In goal, the Griffins have excelled despite injuries. Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa boasts a 1.75 GAA with a .939 save percentage, while rookie Michal Postava holds a 2.15 GAA and .936 save percentage. ECHL call-up Carter Gylander has stepped up with a 2-0-1-0 record, and former NHL goaltender Dustin Tokarski has been added to provide stability while Cossa and Postava recover.
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Since dropping their first game of the season on November 9 against the Chicago Wolves, the Griffins have responded with two wins over the Toronto Marlies, including a 3-2 overtime victory featuring all three goals against Maple Leafs starter Joseph Woll, who was on a rehab stint with Toronto.
The Griffins will look to stay hot when puck drops Wednesday for their matchup with the IceHogs at 8 p.m. EST. Fans are able to follow the action live on WOOD 106.9 FM and 1300 AM or stream the game on AHL.TV via FloHockey.tv.
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