GRAND RAPIDS — After the best start in the AHL’s 90-year history, the Grand Rapids Griffins hit an inevitable rough patch in January.

But Dan Watson’s Griffins have rediscovered their winning formula as they downed the Texas Stars 4-2 Friday for their fourth win in their last five games. They broke a 2-2 tie with a clutch game-winning power play goal by veteran Austin Watson. The result was similar to how the Griffins won games in the fall.

Amadeus Lombardi also scored for the Griffins.

“Over the last month of January, we struggled to win the games that we were (winning) early on,” Watson said.  “It’s a tough pace to keep with. We won four of our last five, all tight battles, and I think we’ve been so good in the third period.”

The game-winner was set-up by Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s shot from up top. Watson redirected it for his 11th goal.  Dominik Shine had two goals, including an empty-net insurance goal.

Defenseman Shai Buium had two assists, giving him four over the past two games.  Antti Tuomisto also added an assist for his 20th point of the season. He’s been a consistent offensive contributor for Grand Rapids.

Goalie Michal Postava improved his record to 9-3 with 24 saves. He owns a 1.76 GAA and .936 save percentage.

Grand Rapids owns a 36-7-2-1 for 75 points through 46 games, while its home record stood at 18-5-1-0. The Providence Bruins (35-8-1-0, 71 points) has the AHL’s second-best record.

Ammo scored 👍 pic.twitter.com/C6ltchvDM1

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) February 14, 2026

 

Red Wings in Case You Missed

John Leonard’s injury should be short term. He still won’t play today, though.

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin thankful that Henrik Zetterberg mentored him.

Lucas Raymond earns a point in a loss to Finland.

Red Wings Extra

Trey Augustine is a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award for the third consecutive season. He’s 20-6-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and career-best .932 season save percentage. . . Does a goalie deserve praise for an 11-1 road. He does if he makes 30 saves, like Rudy Guimond did in the Moncton Wildcats’ triumph against the Halifax Mooseheads. The Wildcats own a 10-game win streak and Guimond is 31-5 this season with a 2.34 GAA and .922 save percentage. Meanwhile, Carter Gylander is 12-5-1 for the Toledo Walleye. He has a 2.51 GAA for the Walleye and .911. That’s your Detroit prospect goalie roundup.

Hockey Now Digest

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San Jose: Sidney Crosby has a fun story about Macklin Celebrini at the Olympics. San Jose Sharks.