Grand Rapids Notables and Quotables from February 19-26, 2026
Photo Credit: Grand Rapids Griffins/Nicolas Carrillo
This past weekend, the Grand Rapids Griffins won back-to-back overtime games against Central Division foes, the Chicago Wolves and Milwaukee Admirals. In an incredible made-for-cinema moment, both game winners were scored by forward Amadeus Lombardi, who took a puck to the face in the middle of Friday night’s game.
Two goals from Michael Brandsegg-Nygård weren’t enough to deliver the Grand Rapids Griffins a win over the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday. Falling 3-2 in overtime, the Griffins walked away with a point, but will have to wait until Friday night to try to clinch a spot in the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Grand Rapids went 1-for-4 on the power play and successfully killed both of their penalties.
The Griffins' 40-7-3-1 record and 84 points remain the league's best.
Surreal For Coach Lashoff
Assistant Coach Brian Lashoff has been with the Grand Rapids organization for 17 seasons, 14 as a player and three as a coach. Watching this historic run from behind the benches has been a bit surreal for him.
“This year, you see a lot of similarities of some really good teams I was on when I played,” said Coach Lashoff. “Especially with a group of younger guys and older guys that are pushing them, and they are responding. So, I think that’s a good sign. Especially this late in the season. So, it’s definitely been a process for me to see it from this side of things, as opposed to being a player.”
The Ultimate Warrior
During Friday night’s game, Lombardi took a puck to the face in the second period. Instead of heading down the tunnel, he stayed in the game. “We had a power play. I want to score now,” said Lombardi. “It happened. It sucked. It kind of took me by surprise, but when I realized everything was ok, I was like ok, go score now.” And then he did, not once, not twice, but three times in the span of 24 hours.
Delivering overtime game-winning goals in back-to-back games, Lombardi became the third player in Griffins history to score an overtime goal in back-to-back games. Turner Elson and Filip Hronek were the other two to complete the feat. Lombardi tied Grand Rapids single-season record with three overtime goals, and he is tied for fourth in franchise history with four career overtime game winners.
Norwegian Wrecking Ball
Rookie forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard continues to be a force to be reckoned with on the ice. His hard hits and quick stick movements are turning into takeaways and goals. Brandsegg-Nygard has also been attacking the paint like a bumblebee, and on Wednesday scored a goal because of it.
Wednesday was apparently his time to shine, because Brandsegg-Nygard also scored a power play goal with just a little flick of the wrist. He’s at the point in the season where he makes things look easy and effortless.
Various Sundries
Defender William Lagesson’s footwork along the boards has increasingly gotten better throughout the season and has become an asset in the defensive zone. He’s been able to trap pucks during board battles until he has a chance to safely pull it off the boards.
This week,forward Ondrej Becher excelled at cross ice passes. Especially on Wednesday when he was able to read how Manitoba was skating which allowed him to perfectly time passes right between their skates.
Defenders Antti Tuomisto and William Wallinder were an incredible asset to the penalty kill this week. They both played really well in the crease, allowing Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava to relax a little during the more intense parts of the game.
Defenseman Alex Kannok Leipert slotted into the role of fourth-line winger on Wednesday night. Coach Watson noted that Leipert is the only defenseman he would consider placing in that role, as he has occasionally played forward in past seasons.
Team Franchise Records
Below is a list of franchise records the Griffins have either set or tied during the 2025-26 season. This list is current as of 02.24.2026.
Tied franchise-record 15-game winning streak from November 22 - December 27, which also tied for sixth-longest in AHL history
Tied franchise-record 19-game points streak from November 22 - January 7 (18-0-1-0)
Franchise-record start with an 8-0 record and was the league’s last undefeated team for the first time since 2000-01 IHL season
Started 6-0 at home for first time since 2009-10 (8-0)
Franchise record for largest margin of victory (9) on November 25 at Texas (10-1 W)
Franchise record for fewest shots in a game (10) on January 17 versus Milwaukee
Team League Records
Below are a list of league records the Griffins have either set or tied during the 2025-26 season. This list is current as of 02.24.2026.
Best record in AHL history through:
25 games (23-1-0-1, 47 pts)
30 games (27-1-1-1, 56 pts)
40 games (32-5-2-1, 67 pts)
50 games (40-7-2-1, 83 pts)
Tied for the best start through 35 games (29-3-2-1, 61 pts)
Tied second-best record in AHL history through 45 games (35-7-2-1, 73 pts)
Reached the 60-point mark in just 32 games, three games faster than any team in AHL history
AHL record 17-game road points streak from October 10 - January 23 (15-0-1-1)
Undefeated Records
Besides having the best record in the league and multiple franchise records, the Griffins are undefeated in regulation in multiple categories. Areas in which they are undefeated in regulation are below.
29-0 when scoring the game’s first goal
18-0 when leading after the first period
28-0 when leading after the second period
7-0 in games decided by four or more goal
16-0 when allowing one goal or less
33-0-1-1 when scoring at least three goals
23-0-0-1 when scoring a power-play goal
6-0-1-0 when scoring a shorthanded goal
1-0-0-1 when allowing a shorthanded goal
1-0 when recording 10-19 shots
3-0 when allowing 10-19 shots
Charitable Goals Update
Changed:
For every successful penalty kill in Van Andel Arena this season, Tito’s will donate $25 to the Humane Society of West Michigan. The Griffins had three successful penalty kills on Friday and two on Wednesday, bringing their total to 66 successful kills and $1,650 to be donated this season.
For every goal forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard scores this season, Centennial Securities will donate $50 to Kids’ Food Basket. Brandsegg-Nygard scored his 10th goal of the season in the second period of Friday's win over the Wolves. He then scored two goals in the Griffins 3-2 loss to the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday, bringing the total for the season to $600.
For every goal forward Amadeus Lombardi scores this season, Consumers Credit Union will donate $100 to Fostering Futures Scholarship Fund. Lombardi's overtime winner on Friday brought the total to $700. Then on Saturday night, Lombardi scored two more goals, including another overtime game winner. The total donated has now elevated to a lovely $900
For every power play goal scored at Van Andel Arena this season, Chick-fil-A will donate $100 to Mel Trotter Ministries. Brandsegg-Nygard’s second goal on Wednesday was a power play goal, adding another $100 to the total donations to Mel Trotter for the season. As of right now, they will receive $1,000.
For every save the Griffins Goaltenders make this season, Kilwins will donate $1 to Kids’ Food Basket. On Friday, Michal Postava stopped 31 of the 32 shots the Wolves threw on net, delivering a 2-1 overtime win. Sebastian Cossa made 22 saves in the Griffins 4-3 win over the Admirals and 35 saves in their 3-2 loss to the Moose. The total now sits at $1,299 that will be donated to Kids’ Food Basket.
Stayed The Same:
For every goal forward John Leonard scores this season, Acrisure donates $100 to the Griffins Youth Foundation. Since Leonard has been out with an injury, the total donated stays at $2,600.
For every goal Eduards Tralmaks scores this season, BHS Insurance donates $100 to Feeding America West Michigan. Tralmaks hasn’t returned from the Olympics yet. Therefore, the total of donations to Feeding America West MIchigan sits at $1,800.
For every goal forward Sheldon Dries scores this season, Fox Motors will donate $100 to the Griffins Youth Foundation. Dries was unable to find the back of the net this week. The total for the season sits at $1,800.
For every goal forward Dominik Shine scores this season, Meijer will donate $50 to the Jamie Daniels Foundation. Shine didn’t score this week. So, the total donated to the Jamie Daniels Foundation remains at $1,050.
For every goal forward Austin Watson scores this season, Planet Fitness will donate $50 to the Boys and Girls Club. Watson assisted Lombardi’s first goal on Saturday against the Admirals, but it wasn’t a goal. The total for the year stays at $550.
