The Daily: Griffins Now 7-0, Leonard Keeps Scoring, Lombardi Still Point-Per-Game

The Detroit Red Wings’ affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins are the only unbeaten team remaining in the American Hockey League.

Dominik Shine scored twice and added an assist and Sebastian Cossa made 24 saves as the Griffins raised their season record to 7-0 with a 4-2 road win against the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks). The two teams play again today in Grand Rapids (4 p.m.).

John Leonard, on a one-way, one-season $775,000 Red Wings contract, also scored his seventh goal in the past six games. That ties him with former Detroit player Anthony Mantha for the second-most Griffins goals in six games. They trail only Jiri Hudler’s record of 10.

Leonard, 27, is a candidate to be promoted should the Detroit squad run into injuries at the forward position.

Prospect defenseman Antti Tuomisto netted the game-winning goal, assisted by Shine and Amadeus Lombardi, who now has seven assists in the winning streak. Lombardi is also plus-8. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who started the season with Detroit, also picked up an assist in the game.

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Detroit second-round pick Max Plante (47th, 2024) picked up an assist in Minnesota-Duluth’s 5-1 loss to North Dakota Saturday. That gives him 19 points and sole possession of first place in the NCAA scoring race. He boasts nine goals and 10 assists in 10 games. Plante also leads all college players in plus-minus (plus-13).

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