Taro Hirose continues to lead Grand Rapids in scoring and, on Friday, scored three goals to help the Griffins earn one win during the week. On Wednesday, Rockford handed the Griffins a 5-1 loss during the 21st annual School Day Game in Grand Rapids. Joel L’Eserance scored the loan Griffins goal. The Griffins then traveled to San Diego for a pair of weekend games against the Gulls. On Friday, the Griffins defeated San Diego 6-5. Hirose led the Griffins with the hat trick. Austin Czarnik was returned to the Griffins from Detroit and scored one goal. Dominik Shine and Pontus Andreasson also scored for Grand Rapids. On Saturday, the Gulls came out on top with a 6-1 win. Andreasson scored the only goal for the Griffins.
With only two out of six points last week, the Griffins remain in 5th place in the Central Division with a 7-8-1 record.
Player Preview: Taro Hirose
Taro Hirose continues to rack up points and now has a comfortable lead in the Griffins points race. With three goals and two assists in three games last week, Hirose now has a four-point cushion on Joel L’Eserance. Hirose picked up an assist on Wednesday and scored three goals and one assist in the 6-5 victory over San Diego on Friday. For the season, Hirose has played all 16 games for the Griffins, recording five goals, 12 assists, 17 points, 37 shots on goal, and has a -6 rating.
With Detroit back home after a lengthy road trip and playing without extra forwards on the active roster, Hirose could be recalled to the parent club. Hirose is no stranger to the Detroit roster. In four seasons, Hirose has played 57 games for the Red Wings. He has scored four goals, 16 assists, and 20 points and has a -15 rating while playing in the NHL.
Detroit Red Wings Prospects Update
The Griffins continued to play with a depleted roster last week. Jonatan Berggren is making the most of his recall to the NHL. In five games, Berggren has three points to start his NHL career. Matt Luff remains on the injured list while on recall to the Red Wings. Chase Pearson has missed the entire season with a personal issue. Austin Czarnik was reassigned from Detroit back to the Griffins.
Cross Hanas played all three games last week. He picked up one assist in Friday’s victory. Hanas has played all 16 games for the Griffins picking up a team-leading seven goals, five assists, 12 points, 38 shots on goal, and has a -10 rating.
Austin Czarnik played both games in San Diego and picked up one goal and one assist on Friday. In ten games played for the Griffins this season, he has six goals, six assists, 12 points, and a -2 rating.
Pontus Andreasson continued his improved offensive play picking up goals in back-to-back games in San Diego. Andreasson has now picked up points in six of his last eight games for the Griffins. In 15 games, he has scored four goals, six assists, ten points, and a +2 rating.
Jared McIsaac played all three games last week. McIsaac picked up two assists on Friday and now leads all Griffins defensemen in scoring. In 16 games this season, McIsaac has one goal, eight assists, nine points, and a -5 rating.
Simon Edvinsson played two games last week and was held off the scoresheet. In 11 games this season, Edvinsson has one goal, seven assists, eight points, and a -4 rating.
Steven Kampfer played the Wednesday matinee game but missed both games in San Diego. In 14 games, Kampfer has one goal, five assists, six points, and a -4 rating while continuing to lead the Griffins defensemen with 24 shots on goal.
Kyle Criscuolo played all three games last week and contributed two assists. In 16 games, Criscuolo has one goal, four assists, five points, and a -11 rating.
Donovan Sebrango played all three games for the Griffins last week. He was held off the scoresheet in each game. In 13 games, Sebrango has three goals, one assist, four points, and an even +/- rating +1 rating.
Givani Smith played all three games last week. In 12 games, Smith has two goals, two assists, four points, and a team-high -13 rating.
Albert Johansson picked up his first multi-point game with two assists on Friday. In 15 games, Johansson now has three assists and a -3 rating.
Eemil Viro played his only game of the week on Saturday. In nine games this season, Viro has one goal and a -5 rating.
Wyatt Newpower played all three games last week. Newpower picked up his first point of the season on Friday. In eight games, he has one assist and a -6 rating.
Seth Barton played his only game of the week on Wednesday. In four games, he remains without a point and has an even +/- rating.
Victor Brattstrom started two games last week. Brattstrom took the loss on Wednesday and again on Saturday. Brattstrom made 58 saves on 68 shots during the two games. Brattstrom has a 2-3-1 record in eight games this season, a 4.05 GAA, and a .874 SV%.
Despite allowing five goals on 27 shots on Friday, Jussi Olkinuora earned the Griffins only win of the week. In eight games this season, Olkinuora has a record of 4-4-0, a 4.21 GAA, and a .858 SV%.
Next Week
Grand Rapids play two home games this week. The Griffins host the Manitoba Moose on Friday and Saturday. Game time for both games is 7:00 PM ET at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.
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