On Friday, the Monsters begin a busy weekend, traveling to Grand Rapids for the first of three games in as many days. Friday’s contest, the fourth of eight meetings between the Monsters and the Griffins this year, is also Lake Erie’s second appearance of the season at Van Andel Arena. So far this season, the Monsters are 1-1-0-1 against their North Division rivals.

In the Monsters first game of the season against the Griffins, an 8-6 loss November 8th at Quicken Loans Arena, the teams set the AHL season-high for combined goals with 14. In the second matchup of the season between the teams, Monsters goalie Trevor Cann shined, making 34 saves on 35 shots and stopping four of five Griffins shooters in the shootout before dropping a 2-1 shootout loss at Van Andel Arena November 11th. Most recently, the Monsters rattled off six unanswered goals en route to a 6-2 win against the Griffins on December 1st at The Q.

If the Monsters wish to pick up win number two of the season against the Griffins, they’ll have to stop Grand Rapids lethal offense, which is sparked in large part by the team’s power play. Clicking at a 22 percent pace, Grand Rapids holds the league’s third-best power play. The Griffins also are the owners of the AHL’s fifth-best offense, recording an average 3.2 goals per game.

Returning to Grand Rapids will be former Griffin and the Monsters scoring leader, Darren Haydar. Last season, Haydar lead the Griffins and was sixth in the AHL in scoring with 80 points (31G, 49A). Also returning to the Wolverine State will be former Michigan University star and Lansing, Mich., native T.J. Hensick. In 164 games in a four-year span with Michigan, Hensick recorded 222 points (75G, 147A).

After Friday’s game, the Monsters return to The Q for back-to-back games against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start while Sunday’s contest will get underway at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (216) 420-0000, by visiting LakeErieMonsters.com or by visiting any Northern Ohio Discount Drug Mart.