Griffins secure playoff spot for fifth consecutive season

By @MichaelCaples –

With a 3-2 victory over Milwaukee today, the Grand Rapids Griffins have secured a spot in the AHL playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

It marks the second time in franchise history that the Griffins have reached the postseason on five straight occasions; Grand Rapids accomplished the feat from 1999-2004, as well.

Sunday’s victory was the third in three games, as Grand Rapids swept their weekend slate of games against the Rockford Ice Hogs and the Milwaukee Admirals.

The Griffins posted a 5-3 home win over the Ice Hogs Friday, before heading down to Rockford for a 4-0 Saturday.

If the playoffs started today, the Griffins would have the top spot in the Central Division, playing the Charlotte Checkers (No. 4 in the Central).

Grand Rapids sits atop the Central at the moment; their 91 points is three more than second-place Chicago, with the Wolves having played two more games.

The Griffins’ 43-18-1-4 record puts them in second place in the Western Conference, and second in the entire AHL. They are behind the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ben Street (54 points), Matt Lorito (53) and Martin Frk (49) have been leading the way for the Griffins offensively this season, while rookie Evgeny Svechnikov is just behind the trio with 42 points of his own.

Robbie Russo and Joe Hicketts lead the blue line in points with 31 apiece.

Jared Coreau holds a 16-7-2 record between the pipes, while Eddie Pasquale has a 14-8-3 mark.