Imagine a hockey team starting the season with an unblemished record, dominating every opponent they face. Sounds too good to be true, right? But that's exactly what the Grand Rapids Griffins are doing, and their 8-0 start is turning heads across the AHL. On November 2, 2025, they continued their fairy-tale run with a convincing 6-2 victory over the Rockford IceHogs at Van Andel Arena, securing the best start by any AHL team since 2021-22.
This isn’t just a fluke—the Griffins are building on their success from last season, when they went 6-1-1-0 in their first eight games. And here’s where it gets even more impressive: they’re 4-0 at home for the first time since 2009-10, when they started 8-0 at the same arena. But here’s where it gets controversial: can they keep this pace up, or will the pressure of maintaining perfection eventually crack their momentum?
The game itself was a showcase of the Griffins’ depth and skill. John Leonard extended his goal streak to six games, tying him with franchise legends like Austin Watson and Jiri Hudler for the second-longest streak in team history. Amadeus Lombardi, Antti Tuomisto, Erik Gustafsson, and Nate Danielson each contributed primary and secondary assists, proving that this team’s success isn’t just about one or two star players. Michal Postava was solid in net, making 29 saves to improve his record to 4-0 on the season.
The IceHogs didn’t go down without a fight, though. They opened the scoring in the first period when Aidan Thompson wrapped the puck around Postava, giving Grand Rapids just their second deficit of the season. But the Griffins responded quickly, with Sheldon Dries tying the game just minutes later. And this is the part most people miss: the Griffins’ ability to bounce back from adversity has been a defining trait of their perfect start.
In the second period, the Griffins took control. Lombardi forced a turnover that led to Dominik Shine’s go-ahead goal, and Leonard added another to make it 3-1. Rockford’s Samuel Savoie cut the lead to one with a highlight-reel backhander, but the Griffins pulled away in the third. Eduards Tralmaks, Leonard (again), and Jakub Rychlovský sealed the deal with three unanswered goals, showcasing the team’s relentless offensive firepower.
Here’s a fun fact: the Griffins have only trailed for 12:50 through their first eight games, while leading for over three hours. That’s dominance, plain and simple. But it’s not just about the wins—it’s about how they’re winning. Lombardi’s four-game assist streak and the team’s ability to generate scoring chances from all four lines are signs of a well-coached, cohesive unit.
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question: Are the Griffins the real deal, or is this just a hot streak that’s bound to cool off? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take.
As the Griffins prepare to face the Chicago Wolves on November 9, one thing is clear: this team is must-watch hockey. Will they keep their perfect record intact, or will the Wolves spoil the party? Only time will tell.
Three Stars of the Game:
1. GR Leonard (two goals)
2. GR Lombardi (two assists)
3. GR Tuomisto (two assists)
Next Games:
- Grand Rapids Griffins (8-0-0-0, 16 pts.): Sun., Nov. 9 at Chicago, 4 p.m. EST
- Rockford IceHogs (6-4-0-0, 12 pts.): Fri., Nov. 7 at Milwaukee, 7 p.m. CST
Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins
