The Grand Rapids Griffins can match the best start in franchise history if they can beat the Manitoba Moose Friday at home to raise their record to 5-0.
It’s been 21 years since the 2004-05 team set a franchise mark with a 5-0 start. The Griffins also started 4-0 in 2000-01, their final campaign in the IHL.
The Griffins have yet to trail in a game this season, scoring the first goal in each of the four games. They have also led after the second period in all four games. Grand Rapids is averaging four goals per game, which is tied for fifth in the AHL, and have allowed an average of 2.25 goals, tied for ninth.
Prospects Carter Mazur (4-2–6), Amadeus Lombardi (four assists) and William Wallinder have started strong. Nate Danielson, playing well enough to make the Red Wings before being injured, will be rejoining the Griffins soon.
Eduards Tralmaks, signed out the Czechia league by the Red Wings, also has three goals. Prospect goalies Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava are both off to strong starts.
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The Griffins have eight players who count as veterans under AHL rules: Sheldon Dries, John Leonard, Dominik Shine and Austin Watson, and defensemen Erik Gustafsson, Justin Holl, William Lagesson and Ian Mitchell. Under AHL rules, they can only play six. But even with two scratched every game, the veterans have combined for eight goals and 18 points in Grand Rapids’ four games. That’s 40% of the Griffins’ points and 50% of their goals. Leonard leads with three goals and four points.
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