Photo Credit: Grand Rapids Griffins' Facebook Page

When it comes to local sports teams, West Michigan has a few that really stand out from the rest. Among them are the Grand Rapids Griffins, an American Hockey League team which has eleven championship wins under its proverbial skates. The team was created shortly after the construction of the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, and it is owned by Dan DeVos. While Grand Rapids and professional hockey do not immediately go together in many people's minds, given the proximity to one of the best National Hockey League teams (the Detroit Red Wings) and the large, urban community that the team has to draw on, this AHL team and West Michigan are really a match made in heaven!

 

Since its creation in 1996, the Grand Rapids Griffins have been a very popular local draw, bringing out fans in the hundreds and thousands to all kinds of events, not just games. Their popularity makes sense; this team knows how to bring home the trophies! In the 2012/2013 year, the team was first in the Midwest, and in the 2013/2014 year, they were second in the Midwest. This year, they are poised to go all the way again, and local fans are salivating at the chance to bring home the championship again.

 

Just this Wednesday, on April 8th, the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Milwaukee Admirals with a final score of 6-2 at the Van Andel Arena, at a sold-out game. Last week Friday, however, they suffered a loss against the Rockford IceHogs with the same score: 6-2. They quickly bounced back with a win against the Toronto Marlies on Saturday, with a final score of 7-2.

 

Although they travel all over across the Midwest and sometimes the country to play their games, the Grand Rapids Griffins will always be a hometown favorite, in no small part because they always try to make the most of having the home-arena advantage, as it were. The win on Wednesday over the Milwaukee Admirals was the tenth winning game at the Grand Rapids' Griffins' home arena out of the last eleven games played on their home ice. For the fans in West Michigan, that means that investing in tickets to a Griffins game is almost always a worthwhile investment, because chances are good they'll get to see their team tearing up the ice on the way to yet another victory.

 

Currently, the Griffins are in second place in the Midwest Division of the AHL, with several other teams hot on their proverbial tail. This Friday, they'll play the first of two games at San Antonio, and the outcome of those games will have immediate impact on the Griffins' standing in the league and whether or not they have a shot at the championship or a division title this year. If you've never seen an AHL hockey game, this season may be the time to start enjoying the local team. With any luck, the Griffins will be headed back north next week with more games scheduled, hopefully on their way to another Calder Cup or title.