Griffins at the half way mark
2023-03-21The 30 Game Mark
The Griffins have been soaring this season posting a 23-6-2 record which has them sitting 3rd overall and 1st in their conference. Last season they finished 5th overall with a 43-24-5 record but with so much turnover coming into this season, people had them possibly barely making the playoffs.
Gone are 4 of their top 9 point scorers from last season, with Bean, Bailey and Hicketts all now on the big club and Vesalainen now overseas. Also gone is their starting goalie from last season who is now serving as the backup with the Wings.
Griffins welcomed 7 new rookie starters to the club this season which also includes their starting goaltender.
In Net
Daws starts the year as the Griffins starting goaltender, taking over for last years starter Daacord. Daacord last year put up pretty good #'s going 29-18-4 so asking for a rookie goaltender to pick up the workdload might have been to much to ask for, but Daws has been up to the task beating expections posting a 16-3-1 record so far in 20 games. All eyes will be on Daws to see if he can beat Calder Cup Hero Garret Sparks record of 44-14-4.
Ivan Prosvetov has slowly been posting up good numbers as well with a 7-3-1 record.
Defense
Lead by Timothy Liljegren who has been putting up a monsterous season with 10 goals and 22 helpers and a +13 so far all while being on the 2nd pair unit. Bowey who's now on his 7th season with the Griffins and chasing his best when he posted 51 points a couple years back. New comer to the blue line Cicek has been tremendous rounding out that 3rd unit while also bringing in some toughness. Korczak has had a bigger role from last season and has looked sharp this season.
Forwards
Joining the forwards this year are 5 rookies that include Bobby Brink, Jack Drury, Dylan Holloway, Vasily Ponomarev and Jordan Kawaguchi. Even though the Griffins lost 2 forwards who were in the tops in scoring they have added some hungry kids who have jumped into the starting lineup in a big way. Brink sits 3rd on the team in scoring with a point per game pace (31 points in 31 games) the other rookie who has stepped up big time is Jack Drury who has 25 points.
A huge help has been the return of AHL star Sam Steel who currently leads the team in scoring with 33 points and has 101 points in 108 games played with the Griffins. The last time Steel played for the Griffins they went on to hoist the cup that year. His line with Brink and Dahlen have been carrying this team. Dahlen has already surpassed his point total of last year by 7 points and at the half game mark.
Grand Rapid fan's are chanting we want cup!
Griffins definitely looking good to join the 2-Calder Club.
Griffins at the half way mark
Griffins Soaring
