Dominant offense and key player performances propel the Griffins to consecutive victories, showcasing their resurgence and readiness for the second half.
While the Detroit Red Wings remain on Olympic break until February 26, fans have plenty to follow in Grand Rapids with the Grand Rapids Griffins. After returning from the AHL All-Star Break, the Griffins faced a tough challenge Friday and Sunday in a two-game set against the Texas Stars, who came into the series riding a seven-game winning streak.
The Griffins, who had lost four of seven games prior to the break, made an emphatic statement by taking both games. Friday’s matchup was a tight 4-2 win, while Sunday saw Grand Rapids dominate in a 5-0 rout. The victories re-established the Griffins as a dominant AHL force.
Grand Rapids is competing without star forward Eduards Tralmaks, who is representing Latvia at the Olympics and has made an immediate impact with a pair of goals and an assist in three games. Even in his absence, other players stepped up to fill the offensive void.
Dominik Shine, Grand Rapids’ captain, returned energized from his first AHL All-Star selection. The 32-year-old delivered in a big way, scoring two goals Friday to help edge Texas and recording a hat-trick Sunday in the dominant win. Shine totaled five goals in the two games, giving the Griffins a major boost.
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Defenseman Shai Buium also made headlines, scoring his first goal of the season Sunday. The milestone came shortly after getting engaged, giving him extra motivation on the ice. Forward Amadeus Lombardi returned from injury and added a goal and an assist across the series, showing he’s ready to make an impact in the second half of the season.
The Griffins will return to action Wednesday when they host the Cleveland Monsters. Cleveland defeated Grand Rapids in their last meeting in late January, setting up an exciting matchup that the Griffins will aim to use to continue their newly found momentum and start another extended winning streak.
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