The Final Bell Tolls: Milwaukee Admirals Ring the Changes
As the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2025, the Grand Rapids Griffins' 16-game point streak came to an end. Despite their valiant efforts, they fell to the Milwaukee Admirals in overtime, 3-2, at the Van Andel Arena.
The Griffins' remarkable start to the season, with a 26-1-1-1 record and 54 points from 29 games, remains the best in the AHL's 90-year history. Their 15-game win streak is now tied for the longest in franchise history, and the sixth-longest in the league's history.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård extended his point streak to five games with an assist, while John Leonard scored a short-handed goal, his 20th of the season. However, the Admirals' Daniel Carr broke Grand Rapids' 172-minute shutout with a wrist shot from the left circle, and the Griffins responded with a goal from William Wallinder.
In the second period, William Lagesson's pass set up Leonard for a breakaway, but he missed the net. Milwaukee regained the lead in the third period with goals from Cole O'Hara and Carr, and Grand Rapids tied the game with a short-handed goal from Leonard.
The decisive moment came in overtime when Zach L'Heureux skated down the ice and scored between the legs of Sebastian Cossa, handing the Griffins their third loss of the season.
The Griffins' sold-out New Year's Eve game attracted a crowd of 10,834, their 10th sellout in the last 12 NYE games. They also recorded their sixth short-handed goal, tied for the best in the league, and went 4-for-5 on the penalty kill. Wallinder scored his first goal of the season.
The box score showed Milwaukee with 30 shots on goal and Grand Rapids with 30 as well. Milwaukee had 1/4 power play opportunities, while Grand Rapids had 0/3.
The three stars of the game were: MIL L'Heureux (game-winner), MIL Carr (two goals), and GR Leonard (short-handed goal).
The Griffins' next game is on Friday, January 2, against the Chicago at 7 p.m. Milwaukee plays on Saturday, January 3, at Texas at 7 p.m. CST.
Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins
