Grand Rapids report: Bloomfield Hills’ Pat Nagle in goal for franchise’s 1,000th win

Detroit News

The Detroit News

Bloomfield Hills native Pat Nagle made 17 saves against the Rockford IceHogs to post the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 1,000th win in franchise history.

Nagle (3-2-0 with a 2.46 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage) was named the first star in Thursday’s 3-1 victory in Rockford, Ill.

Kevin Boyle (3-1-1 with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .885 save percentage) was in goal on Saturday and stopped 20 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss against the IceHogs at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

In the 25-year history in the AHL, the Griffins have compiled a regular season record of 1,000-686-27-61-116 (0.583).

Red Wings boast No. 1-ranked NHL/AHL affiliation since Ilitch era

Video: Griffins earn franchise win No. 1,000

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, Rockford 1

Box score: Rockford 2, Grand Rapids 1 (OT)

Livonia’s Humitz scores two goals

The Grand Rapids Griffins scored six goals in the second period in a 9-4 victory against the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, Ill.

Livonia’s Max Humitz, Riley Barber and Tyler Spezia each scored two goals, Givani Smith added two assists, Donovan Sebrango recorded his first AHL assist in seven games and goalie Kevin Boyle made 17 saves for Grand Rapids.

Humitz, who played his minor hockey with Victory Honda and Honeybaked before recording 111 points in 149 career games at Lake Superior State, added an assist and was plus-3 in his third game with the Griffins.

The two teams will play again in Rockford on March 11 before returning to Grand Rapids for games on March 13 and March 16.

Video: Griffins score nine goals in win over IceHogs

Box score: Grand Rapids 9, Rockford 4

Cholowski extends scoring streak

After snapping the Chicago Wolves’ seven-game winning streak on Friday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, the Griffins’ four-game winning streak ended in an 8-4 loss against the Wolves on Sunday at the Triphahn Center Ice Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

The Griffins, who had surrendered only 11 goals in six games, allowed their most goals against in more than 10 years, dating to a 10-8 win at Chicago on Nov. 27, 2010.

Defenseman Dennis Cholowski, a Red Wings’ first round pick in 2016, was named the third star with one goal and one assist to extend his scoring streak to four games (2 goals, 5 assists). Cholowski has eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) and is minus-2 in seven games with Grand Rapids this year after recording 24 career points with the Red Wings and a minus-46 rating in 88 games in the NHL.

 Also Sunday, Michael Rasmussen had an assist and has a five-game scoring streak (2 goals, 3 assists), Taro Hirose had a goal and two assists for a four-game scoring streak (1 goal, 7 assists) and goalie Pat Nagle of Bloomfield Hills allowed five goals on 20 shots before being replaced by Kevin Boyle, who allowed three goals on 15 shots.

The Griffins’ next four games are against the Rockford IceHogs: Wednesday and Thursday in Rockford, Ill., and Saturday and Tuesday in Grand Rapids.

Video: Wolves snap Griffin’s 4-game winning streak

Box score: Chicago 8, Grand Rapids 4

Givani Smith scores first goal

The Grand Rapids Griffins beat the AHL’s last undefeated team on Friday night, stopping the Chicago Wolves’ seven-game winning streak and earning their fourth straight victory in a 4-1 victory at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Second-round draft pick Givani Smith scored his first goal of the season in his third game in Grand Rapids this year. Smith, who had one goal and three assists in eight games with the Detroit Red Wings, has two points and 10 shots in three games.

Also Friday, Michael Rasmussen extended his scoring streak to four games with an assist, Taro Hirose had two assists to extend his scoring streak to three games and goalie Kevin Boyle made 22 saves for the Griffins.

Grand Rapids will wrap up the two-game series in Chicago on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Video: Griffins down unbeaten Wolves

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Chicago 1

Cholowski scores OT winner

Detroit Red Wings first-round pick Dennis Cholowski scored a power-play goal 1:05 into overtime on Saturday to lift the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Monsters in Grand Rapids’ home opener at Van Andel Arena.

Cholowski, who is second in team scoring with five points in five games, also assisted on a power-play goal in the third period by Michael Rasmussen, another first-rounder who was named the first star. Taro Hirose added an assist with four shots, Givani Smith had four shots and Pat Nagle of Bloomfield Hills made 22 saves.

The Grifins (3-2-0) will play a home-and-home series against the Chicago Wolves (6-0-0) on Friday in Grand Rapids at 7 p.m., and in Chicago on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Game 5: Grand opener for Grand Rapids

Box score: Grand Rapids 2, Cleveland 1 (OT)

Hirose named first star vs. IceHogs

Former Spartan Taro Hirose was named the first star with two assists in the Grand Rapids Griffens’ 3-1 victory over the Rockford IceHogs on Thursday at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, Ill.

Hirose, who was reassiged from the Detroit Red Wings’ taxi squad on Sunday, assisted on the Griffins’ first two goals by Michael Rasmussen and Riley Barber. Goalie Kevin Boyle had to make only 12 saves to earn his first victory in a Grand Rapids uniform.

Former Red Wings draft pick Alec Regula scored a power-play goal for Rockford. Griffins rookie Donovan Sebrango, a third-round pick in 2020, dropped the gloves with Riley McKay for his first pro fight in the third period.

The home opener for Grand Rapids is Saturday against Cleveland at 4 p.m. 

Game 4: Griffins head home with 2-1 record

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, IceHogs 1

Sebrango in lineup for first victory

The Grand Rapids Griffins picked up the first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Monsters on Saturday at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

First-round pick Evgeny Svechnikov, Riley Barber and Dominic Turgeon scored goals and Rochester Hills’ Pat Nagle made 26 saves for the Griffins.

Michael Rasmussen added an assist and was plus-2 and Dennis Cholowski had three shots and was plus-1. Donovan Sebrango, a third-round pick from the Kitchener Rangers in 2020, played his second AHL game and had one shot on goal.

In an earlier interview with Red Wings beat reporter Ted Kulfan, Sebrango said he’s “a little bit of an old-school defenseman with a little bit of the new school.”

In 56 games with the Rangers last year, he had six goals and 24 assists for 30 points. 

The 19-year-old Sebrango was loaned to Slovakian team HK Levice this year and had one goal and two assists in five games.

“He’s a good skating defenseman who plays with an edge,” said Kris Draper, the Red Wings’ director of amateur scouting.

Grand Rapids (1-2-0) will wrap up the four-game road trip against Rockford (0-2-1) on Thursday before facing Cleveland (0-2-0) on Saturday at Van Andel Arena.

Game 3: Griffins win first game of the season

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, Cleveland 1

Red Wings believe Rasmussen, Cholowski should develop in AHL

Game 2: Chicago 4, Grand Rapids 2

Griffins back for first time in 331 days

The Detroit Red Wings’ top farm team returned to the ice for the first time in 331 days on Friday night.

The Grand Rapids Griffins dropped a 3-1 decision against the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League opener for both teams at the Triphahn Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Top draft pick Michael Rasmussen assisted on Grand Rapids’ only goal by Kyle Criscuolo. Rochester Hills’ Pat Nagle stopped 26 of 29 goals for the Griffins, who played their first game since a 4-1 win over Iowa on March 11, 2020.

Grand Rapids will pay three more games on the road before returning to Van Andel Arena on Feb. 20 to face the Cleveland Monsters at 4 p.m.

Game 1: Griffins drop opener 3-1

Box score: Wolves 3, Griffins 1

More: For Red Wings’ Dennis Cholowski, Michael Rasmussen, time in Grand Rapids will be important

AHL season put on hold

The Grand Rapids Griffins’ 2019-20 season was put on hold on Thursday afternoon.

Here’s the news release from the American Hockey League regarding the season being suspended until further notice:

“With the health and safety of our players, officials, staff and fans of primary importance, the American Hockey League has announced the suspension of play until further notice, effective immediately, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The AHL will continue to monitor developments and will provide updates on the 2019-20 season at the appropriate time.”

The Griffins played at home last night and beat the Iowa Wild 4-1

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Game 63: Puempel scores winner against Wild

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Iowa 1

Griffins forward Givani Smith scored twice in a 4-1 victory over the Iowa Wild at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Wednesday.

Goalie Calvin Pickard made 20 saves for the Griffins (29-27-3-4), who are now three points up on a postseason spot with 13 games to play.

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Game 62: Pickard stops 35 shots in shutout

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, Rockford 0

Statistics: Griffins’ player stats

Griffins goalie Calvin Pickard stopped all 35 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

First-round pick Moritz Seider had an assist in his second game back in the lineup. Seider, the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft, missed four games after suffering an upper-body injury against San Antonio on Feb. 22. 

The Griffins are in sole possession of third place with 14 games remaining. Grand Rapids leads Rockford (by two points), San Antonio (three), Chicago (three), Texas (four) and Manitoba (eight) in a six-team race for the last two playoff spots in the division, with Milwaukee and Iowa all but having locked up the first two berths.

The Griffins (28-27-3-4) will host a potential playoff preview on Wednesday when second-place Iowa in Grand Rapids at 7 p.m. 

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Game 61: Griffins blanked by IceHogs

Box score: Rockford 4, Grand Rapids 0

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Game 60: Griffins end four-game losing streak

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, San Antonio 3

Bloomfield Hills’ Pat Nagle stopped a season-high 44 shots to help Grand Rapids end a four-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory against the San Antonio Rampage at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Tuesday.

Nagle has a record of 9-7-1 with a 2.23 GAV and a .924 save percentage. Turner Elson was named the first star with two goals. Rookie defenseman Moritz Seider missed his fourth straight game with an injury.

The Griffins (27-26-3-4) will wrap up their four-game road trip when they take on the Rockford IceHogs on Friday at 8 p.m.

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Game 59: Griffins lose in Texas

Box score: Texas 4, Grand Rapids 2

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Game 58: Griffins fall in San Antonio

Box score: San Antonio 4, Grand Rapids 2

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Game 57: Griffins swept by Rampage

Box score: San Antonio 2, Grand Rapids 1

The San Antonio Rampage beat the Grand Rapids Griffins 2-1 on Sunday to sweep the weekend series at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

First-round draft pick Michael Rasmussen scored his first goal in seven games and goalie Calvin Pickard made 23 saves in his first appearance since Feb. 11.

The Griffins (26-24-3-4) will face the Rampage on Friday in San Antonio.

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Game 56: Rampage edge Griffins

Box score: Rampage 4, Griffins 3

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First-round draft pick Joe Veleno scored the game-winning goal and was named the first star of the game in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 3-2 victory over the Chicago Wolves in a Thursday matinee at Allstate Arena in Chicago.

Veleno, who has nine goals and 10 assists in 46 games this year, had three shots and was plus one. It was Veleno’s second game-winning goal in eight games and third of the season. Goalie Pat Nagle of Bloomfield Hills was the second star with 28 saves. Forward Givani Smith led the team with a plus-2 rating.

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, Chicago 2

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First-round draft pick Dennis Cholowski scored a goal and extended his scoring streak to four games in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 2-1 victory over the Rockford IceHogs on Tuesday at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, Ill.

Cholowski, who had two goals and six assists in 33 games with the Red Wings this year, has three goals and nine assists in 24 games in the AHL, including one goal and four assists during the last four games.

Evgeny Svechnikov added an assist to extend his scoring streak to five games (5+3=8) and goalie Pat Nagle of Bloomfield Hills stopped 27 shots to improve his record to 6-1 in his last eight games.

The Griffins have points in 14 of their last 17 games (11-3-1-2) and they’ll be in Chicago to face the Wolves on Thursday.

Game 54: Griffins edge IceHogs

Boxscore: Grand Rapids 2, Rockford 1

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Grand Rapids right-winger Givani Smith scored two goals in the Griffins’ 5-2 victory over the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena in Chicago on Saturday.

Smith, who had two goals in 21 games with the Red Wings this year, has six goals in 27 games in Grand Rapids, tying his goal output with the Griffins in 64 games last year.

Defenseman Dennis Cholowski and forward Chase Pearson each had two assists and was plus two and defenseman Moritz Seider was plus two with three shots.

Grand Rapids now has points in 13 of its last 16 games (10-3-1-2) and will continue the three-game trip in Rockford on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Game 53: Griffins moved into third place

Box score: Grand Rapids 5, Chicago 2

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First-round draft pick Evgeny Svechnkiov extended his goal-scoring streak to four games with a goal in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Monsters at Van Andel Arena on Friday in Grand Rapids.

Turner Elson scored with 1:23 remaining, Joe Veleno added an empty-netter and goalie Pat Nagle (Bloomfield Hills) made 19 saves for his fourth win in his last five decisions.

The Griffins, who improved to 9-3-1-2 in their last 15 games, will begin a three-game trip in Chicago on Saturday 

Game 52: Griffins double up Monsters

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Cleveland 2

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Game 51: Grand Rapids fall in Cleveland

Box score: Cleveland 6, Grand Rapids 2

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The Grand Rapids Griffins moved into a share of third place in the Central Division for the first time since Nov. 21 with a 5-1 victory over the Texas Stars on Sunday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Evgeny Svechnikov had a goal and two assists after scoring two goals against the Stars on Saturday, Bloomfield Hills goalie Pat Nagle made a career-high 34 saves, including 17 saves in a scoreless first period and Michael Rasmussen added a goal and an assist.

The game featured a fight between Grand Rapids’ Turner Elson and Texas’ Tye Felhaber, who confronted Moritz Seider in Saturday’s game when Seider delivered a big hit on a Stars’ forward.

The Griffins (22-21-3-4) will face the Monsters in Cleveland on Tuesday at 7 p.m. visit to the Cleveland Monsters.

Game 50: Griffins tied for fourth place

Box score: Grand Rapids 5, Texas 1

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First-round draft pick Evgeny Svechnikov scored two goals in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 4-3 overtime loss against the Texas Stars on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 10,834 at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Moritz Seider, a first-round pick in 2019, had an assist on the power play and delivered the hit of the game on Tye Felhaber in the third period. Seider received a cross-checking penalty on the play and Felhaber a roughing penalty.

The Griffins will face the Stars again today in Grand Rapids at 4 p.m.

Game 49: Griffins rally but lose in OT

Box score: Texas 4, Grand Rapids 3 (OT)

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The Grand Rapids Griffins snapped a two-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over division-leading Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee.

First-round pick Joe Veleno scored the winning goal and was named the third star and first-round pick Moritz Seider added an assist for the Griffins (21-21-2-4).

Grand Rapids will host the Texas Stars at Van Andel Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Game 48: Veleno scores in 2-1 win in Milwaukee

Box score: Grand Rapids 2, Milwaukee 1

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The Grand Rapids Griffins lost 4-1 to the Iowa Wild on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dominic Turgeon scored the lone goal and Taro Hirose extended his scoring streak to five games (0+8=8) with an assist for the Griffins (20-21-2-4), who will travel to Milwaukee to take on the Admirals on Wednesday.

Hirose has 19 points (4+15=19) in 22 games and his five-game scoring streak ties for the longest by a Griffin this year.

Game 47: Griffins falter in loss to Wild

Box score: Iowa 4, Grand Rapids 1

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The San Diego Gulls ended the Grand Rapids Griffins’ eight-game point streak on Saturday with a 3-1 win in Grand Rapids.

Brent Gates Jr. scored the decisive goal with 6:07 left in the third period. Matt Puempel scored a power-play goal with assists to Taro Hirose and Dennis Cholowski. Filip Zadina didn’t play because of a minor injury.

The Griffins (20-20-2-4), who played eight home games in the last 16 days, will be off during the AHL All-Star Classic on Sunday and Monday. The next game is Friday against the Iowa Wild.

Game 46: Gulls snap Griffins’ unbeaten streak

Box score: San Diego 3, Grand Rapids 1

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Game 45: Griffins extend point streak to eight games

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Gulls 3 (OT)

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The Detroit Red Wings assigned defenseman Dennis Cholowski, goaltender Calvin Pickard and forwards Givani Smith and Filip Zadina to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Zadina, 20, has averaged 14:52 of ice time in 26 games with the Red Wings this season and ranks among the team’s leaders with 15 points (8th), eight goals (6th) and four power-play goals (T3rd).

Cholowski, 21, has split his second pro season between Grand Rapids and Detroit. He has totaled eight points (2-6—8) and four penalty minutes while averaging 19:33 of ice time in 30 games for the Red Wings.

Smith, 21, has split the 2019-20 campaign between the Red Wings and Griffins. In 15 games during his NHL debut, Smith has produced three points (2-1—3) and five PIM in 10:19 average ice time.

Pickard, 27, has made three appearances for the Detroit this season and became the 181st Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he recorded 29 saves in his Red Wings debut on Nov. 29 at Philadelphia.

The Griffins (19-19-2-4) are on a season-high, seven-game point streak and continue their eight-game homestand against the San Diego Gulls on Friday.

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Game 44: Griffins edge Wild in shootout

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Iowa 3 (SO)

Grand Rapids forward Chris Terry scored in the final minute of regulation then tallied in the first round of the shootout to help power the Griffins to a 4-3 victory on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins extended their season-high point streak to seven games (5-0-0-2), improved to 4-0-0-2 on their homestand, clawed back to the .500-mark for the first time since late November and remained in a tie with Texas for fourth place in the Central Division.

Grand Rapids (19-19-2-4) will conclude its marathon eight-game homestand by hosting the San Diego Gulls on Friday and Saturday.

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Game 43: Griffins extend points streak to six games

Box score: Belleville 4, Grand Rapids 3 (SO)

The Grand Rapids Griffins extended their season-high point streak to six games (4-0-0-2) with a 4-3 shootout loss against the Belleville Senators on Saturday night at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

First-round draft pick Evgeny Svechnikov was named the second star with a goal and two shots. He has six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 33 games.

First-round picks Dennis Cholowski also scored a goal with five shots and Michael Rasmussen had an assist and five shots. Taro Hirose added two assists.

Grand Rapids (18-19-2-4) will continue the homestand on Wednesday against the Iowa Wild.

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Game 42: Griffins extend streak to five games

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Rockford 1

The Grand Rapids Griffins extended their season-high point streak to five games with a 4-1 victory over the Rockford IceHogs on Friday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Captain Matthew Ford skated in his 700th AHL game with a goal and an assist, goalie Pat Nagle of Bloomfield Hills made 21 saves and first-round pick Moritz Seider had a season-high six shots and one assist for Grand Rapids (18-19-2-3).

Seider was also plus two and picked up a point for the second time in three games after going 10 games with only one assist and a minus-9 rating. In 32 games, he has two goals, 12 assists, 14 points and is minus-8.

The Griffins’ eight-game home stretch will continue Saturday when they host the Belleville Senators for the first time this season at 7 p.m.

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Game 41: Griffins fall to IceHogs in shootout

Box score: Rockford 2, Grand Rapids 1 (SO)

Red Wings first-round draft pick Joe Veleno scored the only goal for the Grand Rapids Griffins in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Veleno had a season-high six shots and scored his sixth goal in 32 games.

The Griffins (17-19-2-3) will face the IceHogs again on Friday in Grand Rapids.

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Former first-round draft pick Michael Rasmussen scored two goals and was named the first star in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 6-2 victory over the Manitoba Moose on Saturday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Rasmussen, who missed 23 games with an injury before returning in Friday’s 1-0 win over Manitoba, has 11 points in 12 games.

First-round picks Moritz Seider and Dennis Cholowski scored goals and Joe Veleno had one assist. For Cholowski, it was his first career AHL goal in 40 games.

The Griffins (17-19-2-2) will host Rockford on Wednesday during the season-high, eight-game homestand.

Game 40: Rasmussen scores twice against Manitoba

Box score: Grand Rapids 6, Moose 2

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Game 39: Pickard blanks Moose

Box score: Grand Rapids 1, Manitoba 0

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The Detroit Red Wings reassigned defenseman Moritz Seider from Germany’s U20 national team and center Joe Veleno from Canada’s U20 national team to the Grand Rapids Griffins in time for an eight-game homestand, which begins on Friday against the Manitoba Moose at Van Andel Arena.

Veleno, 19, helped Canada win a gold medal after leading the team in average time on ice (19:13) and placing sixth with six points (1+5=6) in six games. Drafted 30th overall by the Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Veleno has 12 points (5+7=12) in 29 games with the Griffins.

As captain of Germany’s national team, Seider, 18, led the club’s defensemen in scoring and tied for second overall on the team with six points (0+6=6) in seven games. He led the tournament in average ice time (25:20). Selected sixth overall by Detroit in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Seider has 12 points (1+11=12) in 28 AHL games.

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Griffins defenseman Joe HIcketts scored a goal in a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Hicketts ended an 11-game goalless drought with his second goal of the season. 

Turner Elson and Dominic Turgeon scored the other goals and goaltender Calvin Pickard made 29 saves for Grand Rapids.

The Griffins (15-19-2-2) will return to Van Andel Arena on Friday night to face the Manitoba Moose at 7 to start an eight-game homestand.

Game 38: Griffins rally to beat Admirals

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, Milwaukee 2

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Game 37: Puempel scores hat trick in loss to Rampage

Box score: San Antonio 5, Grand Rapids 4

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The Grand Rapids Griffins were blanked by former NTDP goalie Jake Oettinger in a 4-0 loss against the Texas Stars on Saturday night at the H-E-B Center.

Oettinger was named first star with 33 saves and now has 61 saves in two shutouts against Grand Rapids.

The Griffins (14-18-2-2) will face San Antonio on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Game 36: Griffins blanked by Stars

Box score: Texas 4, Grand Rapids 0

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Game 35: Griffins down Rampage

Box score: Grand Rapids 5, San Antonio 3

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Bloomfield Township’s Pat Nagle was named the game’s third star with 22 saves in Grand Rapids’ 2-0 loss against the Chicago Wolves in the annual New Year’s Eve game at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

Nagle, who extended a career-best by making his fourth straight AHL start, has a 1-4-1 record with a 2.32 goals against average and a 0.914 save percentage in seven appearances for Grand Rapids this season. His GAA ranks 10th among AHL netminders who’ve played at least 380 minutes this season.

The Griffins were missing eight regulars due to injuries, loans to the World Junior Championship (Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno) and recalls to Detroit (Givani Smith).

Grand Rapids (13-17-2-2) have been shut out in consecutive home games for just the third time in franchise history and will begin a four-game road trip in San Antonio on Friday.

Game 34: Griffins blanked on New Year’s Eve

Box score: Chicago 2, Grand Rapids 0

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Grand Rapids captain Matthew Ford scored two goals in a 3-2 win in Milwaukee to earn a weekend split against the Admirals at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

Taro Hirose had two assists and Dennis Cholowski had an assist on Turner Elson’s game-winner with under two minutes to play.

The Griffins (13-16-2-2) will round out the 2019 calendar year with a New Year’s Eve game against the Chicago Wolves at Van Andel Arena.

Game 33: Griffins sink Admirals

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, Milwaukee 2

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Game 32: Griffins blanked by Admirals

Box score: Milwaukee 3, Grand Rapids 0

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Forward Taro Hirose scored a goal for Grand Rapids in a 4-3 overtime loss against the Iowa Wild on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Hirose has a three-game scoring streak (1+2=3) with four goals and three assists in eight games with the Griffins.

The game marked the end of a six-game road trip for Grand Rapids (12-15-2-2). The Griffins will return to Van Andel Arena for the first time since Dec. 6 as they host the Milwaukee Admirals on Dec. 27 at 7 p.m.

Game 31: Home for Christmas after overtime loss in Iowa

Box score: Iowa 4, Grand Rapids 3 (OT)

Grand Rapids: Player stats

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Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots in Grand Rapids’ 4-2 loss against the Iowa Wild on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Howard, who was named the first star in Tuesday’s 3-2 shootout victory over the San Diego Gulls with 30 saves, will be back in goal for the Red Wings on Sunday when Detroit hosts the Arizona Coyotes at Little Caesars Arena.

Also Friday, Taro Hirose extended his point streak to two games (0+2=2) and Dennis Cholowski also extended his point streak to two games (0+2=2).

The Griffins (12-15-1-2) will finish their season-high six-game road trip tonight in a rematch against the Wild at 8 p.m. 

Game 30: Offense stalls in 4-2 loss to Iowa

Box score: Iowa 4, Grand Rapids 2

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Game 29: Griffins win 3-2 in overtime in San Diego

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, San Diego 2 (OT)

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The Grand Rapids Griffins had their three-game point streak come to an end on Saturday in a 2-1 loss against the Bakersfield Condors at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, Calif.

Clinton Township’s Tyler Spezia scored the only goal for the Griffins (11-14-1-2), who will head back to San Diego to play the Gulls on Tuesday.

In Friday’s 6-5 overtime win over the Condors, Joe Veleno and Taro Hirose had two goals apiece and Dennis Cholowski was minus-3 for Grand Rapids.

In two games with the Griffins, Cholowski and Kyle Wood are both scoreless. Cholowski has seven shots and is minus-3. Wood, who was acquired from Carolina for Oliwer Kaski, is plus 1 in two games.

Game 28: Griffins drop 2-1 decision against Condors

Box score: Bakersfield 2, Grand Rapids 1

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Game 27: Griffins edge Condors in overtime

Box score: Grand Rapids 6, Bakersfield 5 (OT)

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Defenseman Madison Bowey assisted on the game-winning goal in his Grand Rapids debut on Wednesday as the Griffins defeated the San Diego Gulls 4-3 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

Bowey, who played for three years in the AHL with Washington’s farm team in Hershey, had an assist on Matthew Ford’s goal with 1:27 left in the third period.

Forward Givani Smith was named the first star with one goal and one assist. Defensemen Dennis Cholowski and Dylan McIlrath and forward Filip Zadina were not in the lineup after being assigned to Grand Rapids this week.

The Griffins (10-13-1-2) continue their road trip with two games against the Bakersfield Condors on Friday and Saturday.

Game 26: Ford scores winning goal to edge Gulls 

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, San Diego 3

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Eric Tangradi scored in his return to the Grand Rapids Griffins after signing a one-year contract 90 minutes before the opening faceoff, but the Griffins lost to the Rockford IceHogs 2-1 in a shootout on Friday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Tangradi, a member of Grand Rapids’ 2017 Calder Cup championship team, began this season by playing for Astana Barys of the Kontinental Hockey League,

The Griffins (9-13-1-2) will begin a six-game road swing to California and Iowa on Wednesday when they visit the San Diego Gulls.

Game 25: Tangradi scores in return to Grand Rapids

Box score: Rockford 2, Grand Rapids 1 (SO)

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Former Spartan Taro Hirose scored in his AHL debut during Grand Rapids’ 5-2 loss at home against the Chicago Wolves on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena.

Hirose had two goals and five assists and a minus-11 rating in 23 games with the Red Wings this year. Filip Zadina was scoreless and minus-2.

The Griffins have lost six games in a row, the team’s most since a franchise record-tying seven-game skid nearly 10 years ago (Jan. 17-Feb. 3, 2010).

Grand Rapids (9-13-1-1) will host the Rockford IceHogs on Friday at 7 p.m.

Game 24: Wolves prey on Griffins

Box score: Chicago 5, Grand Rapids 2

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The Grand Rapids Griffins dropped their fourth consecutive game on Friday night at Van Andel Arena as the Manitoba Moose won 4-2 in Grand Rapids.

Goaltender Filip Larsson was pulled in the second period after allowing four goals on 17 shots. He replaced Calvin Pickard, who became the 181st Griffin to play in the NHL on Friday. Pickard allowed six goals in the Red Wings’ 6-1 loss in Philadelphia.

The Griffins (9-11-1-1) will be in Rockford to face the IceHogs Saturday.

Game 22: Griffins drop 4-2 decision to Moose

Box score: Manitoba 4, Grand Rapids 2

——-

Game 21: Griffins allow five goals in Chicago

Box score: Chicago 5, Grand Rapids 2

——

First-round draft pick Evgeny Svechnikov tried a lacrosse-style wraparound shot but failed to score in Grand Rapids’ 5-0 loss against the Milwaukee Admirals at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Svechnikov’s younger brother, Andrei, scored on a similar lacrosse-style attempt for Carolina against Calgary goalie Rittich earlier this year. The Hurricanes will face the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Evgeny Svechnikov and the Griffins were shutout for the second time this season as the Admirals picked up their tenth straight victory, tying for most in franchise history.

Filip Zadina’s season-high, six-game point streak also came to an end. Grand Rapids (9-9-1-1) will be in Chicago on Wednesday.

Game 20: Grffins drop weekend series in Milwaukee

Box score: Milwaukee 5, Grand Rapids 0

—–

Game 19: Griffins lose to red-hot Admirals

Box score: Milwaukee 3, Grand Rapids 2

—–

First-round draft pick Moritz Seider scored his first AHL goal and added an assist in Grand Rapids’ 4-3 victory over the San Antonio Rampage at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Wednesday.

Filip Zadina, back in the lineup after missing Saturday’s game in Rockford because of an injury, earned an assist to extend his point streak to five games (3+4=7).

The Griffins (9-7-1-1) will begin a weekend home-and-home series with Milwaukee on Friday when they welcome the Admirals to Van Andel Arena for a 7 p.m. start.

Game 18: Youth is served in Griffins victory

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, San Antonio 3

——

Game 17: Griffins manage split against the Rockford

Box score: Rockford 5, Grand Rapids 2

First-round draft pick Evgeny Svechnikov scored two goals in Grand Rapids’ 5-2 loss against the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday at BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, Ill.

Svechnikov was named the third star of the game with nine shots and was plus one. He has three goals and four assists for seven points and is minus five in nine games.

——

Game 16: Griffins’ offense sizzles in win over IceHogs

Box score: Grand Rapids 5, Rockford 2

——

Game 15: Griffins score twice in final minute to beat Monsters

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Cleveland 2

First-round draft pick Joe Veleno was named the first star in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Monsters in Cleveland on Tuesday.

Veleno scored the winning goal at 19:18 of the third period. He has three goals and one assist and is minus-14 in 15 games this year.

Filip Zadina added a goal and Moritz Seider and Michael Rasmussen had assists.

——

The Griffins settled for a split of the weekend series against the Marlies after dropping a 5-2 decision against Toronto at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday.

Filip Zadina was named the game’s third star with a power-play goal. On Friday, Zadina scored a goal in a 4-1 win over the Marlies.

Zadina has goals in two straight games after going minus-4 and scoreless in his two previous games.

The Griffins wore camouflage jerseys on the weekend in honor of Military Appreciation Weekend.

Grand Rapids (6-6-1-1) will travel to Cleveland on Tuesday for a game against the Monsters.

Game 14: Marlies earn split with 5-2 win over Griffins

Box score: Toronto 5, Grand Rapids 2

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Game 13: Griffins’ special teams key victory over Marlies

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Toronto 1

——

The Griffins allowed a franchise-record three shorthanded goals in a 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Monsters in the annual school day game at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Wednesday morning.

First-round pick Moritz Seider extended his scoring streak to five games with an assist (0+6=6 points) but he was minus-three. Seider has seven assists in 12 games and is minus-two in his rookie season.

The Griffins (5-5-1-1) will host the Toronto Marlies on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Game 12: Griffins allow three shorthanded goals in loss to Monsters

Box score: Cleveland 5, Grand Rapids 3

—–

The heavy-hearted Griffins lost 5-3 to the Manitoba Moose at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg on Saturday, one day after the death of long-time video coach Bill LeRoy.

LeRoy, a  member of the coaching staff since 2001, died on Friday in Winnipeg. He was 56. A moment of silence was held before the game to honor LeRoy.

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who worked with LeRoy when Blashill coached in Grand Rapids, said LeRoy “was a good friend and great man, a great hockey man, and loved being part of the Griffins.

“He cared deeply about the organization and the players. He’s been around hockey going back to the days in Kalamazoo in the IHL with Ken Hitchcock and a bunch of people. He had an unreal amount of experience.

“I would pick his brain a ton when I was down there. He was just a really great person and he didn’t deserve this. He deserved to keep living. It’s a sad day for sure.”

Game 10: Heavy-hearted Griffins lose in Manitoba

Box score: Manitoba 5, Grand Rapids 3

——-

Game 9: Wild down Griffins in overtime

Box score: Iowa 4, Grand Rapids 3 (OT)

First-round draft picks Joe Veleno and Filip Zadina scored goals for the Griffins in a 4-3 loss in overtime against the Iowa Wild on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Veleno scored the game-tying goal and Zadina opened the scoring.

Former Ferris State forward Gerald Mayhew scored the OT winner for the Wild.

The Griffins (5-2-1-1) finished the four-game homestand with a 3-0-1-0 record and will head to Manitoba for games against the Moose on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.

——–

Game 8: Griffins rally from three-goal deficit

Box score: Grand Rapids 6, Texas 4

Down 3-0 in the first period and 4-3 entering the third period on Saturday, the Griffins mounted a comeback to stun the Texas Stars 6-4 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

The Griffins have won three in a row and are off to their best start in 11 years.

Ryan Kuffner was named the second star with the game-tying goal.

——-

First-round draft pick Joe Veleno scored his first goal in the Griffins’ 4-1 victory over the Manitoba Moose on Friday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Veleno has one goal, nine shots and is minus-six in seven games.

Matt Puempel recorded his first AHL hat trick and goalie Calvin Pickard allowed his first goal in more than two games.

Game 7: Puempel’s trick is a treat

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Manitoba 1

———

Game 6: Pickard shuts out Admirals

Box score: Grand Rapids 3, Milwaukee 0

Grand Rapids goalie Calvin Pickard made 26 saves and first-round pick Michael Rasmussen was named the third star with two assists in the Griffins’ 3-0 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

The game featured the debut of defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, who was put on waivers by the Red Wings on Tuesday.

Ericsson, who played 176 games for Grand Rapids from 2006-09, set a new standard for the longest time span between Griffins appearances at 3,888 days, or 10 years, 7 months and 22 days (March 1, 2009 to Oct. 23, 2019).

The record had been held by Jimmy Howard at 2,831 days, or seven years, eight months and 28 days (May 6, 2009 to Feb. 4, 2017).

The Griffins improved to 3-2-0-1 and kicked off their four-game home stand with their first home-ice win of the season. They’ll host the Manitoba Moose on Friday at 7 p.m.

——

Game 5Offense stalls in loss to Stars

The Griffins suffered their first regulation road loss and were held scoreless for the first time this season, falling 3-0 against the Stars on Saturday night at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas.

Box score: Texas 3, Grand Rapids 0

——

Game 4: Griffins lose in a shootout in Texas

The Griffins fought back from a two-goal deficit in the third period but eventually fell 4-3 in a shootout against the Texas Stars on Friday night at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas.

Matt Puempel was named the third star with a power-play goal and an assist.

Box score: Texas 4, Grand Rapids 3 (SO)

——

Game 3: Larsson earns first professional win

The Griffins picked up their second road win of the season after defeating the Rockford IceHogs 4-2 on Saturday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, Ill.

Filip Larsson earned his first professional victory in his debut, saving 24 shots.

Box score: Grand Rapids 4, Rockford 2

——

Game 2: Admirals spoil Griffins’ home opener

Troy Grosenick turned aside all but one of the 39 shots he saw on Friday to spoil the home opener for the Griffins and backstop the Milwaukee Admirals to a 4-1 win at Van Andel Arena.

Chris Terry scored the Griffins’ only goal

Box score: Milwaukee 4, Grand Rapids 1

——–

Game 1: Griffins earn season-opening win in Chicago

The Griffins opened up the regular season with an 8-5 victory against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night at Allstate Arena in Chicago.

Matthew Ford led the Griffins with a career-high-tying four-point night.

Box score: Grand Rapids 8, Chicago 5

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