Griffins Points String Snapped at 18

It had to happen some time, and that time was Monday night for the Grand Rapids Griffins. The streak is over.

The Griffins lost for the first time in nearly two months, falling to the Cleveland Monsters 5-3.

It was the first regulation loss in 18 games (13-0-3-2) for the Griffins, whose streak began Jan. 12.

Grand Rapids took the lead in the first period on a power-play goal by Jonatan Berggren, who recorded his 27th point in his last 24 games.

Looking good 😉🍔🚨 pic.twitter.com/Cl5XfLum0I

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) March 5, 2024

Cleveland scored three consecutive goals in the second period before Matt Luff scored late to make it 3-2 going into the third.

Dominik Shine tied it early in the third, but Cleveland’s Trey Fix-Wolansky scored the game-winner midway through the period. The Monsters put it out of reach with an empty-net goal in the final minute by Brendan Gaunce, his second goal of the game.

It was the longest point streak for the Griffins since a 19-game string in 2015.

Berggren scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season to extend a personal points streak to six (3-3—6), while Zach Aston-Reese extended his points streak to five games (3-2-—5).

Michael Hutchinson took the loss in net for the Griffins, ending a personal points streak at nine (7-0-2).

The Monsters won their second game in a row and have recorded a point in nine of their last 10 games. The win gave Cleveland a little breathing room in the AHL North, where the Monsters lead second-place Syracuse by five points.

Grand Rapids remains 10 points behind first-place Milwaukee in the AHL Central. The Griffins play on the road against the Admirals on Saturday.

The Griffins are off until Friday, when they play host to Chicago. They’ll be back in Cleveland on March 12.