GRAND RAPIDS - The best surprise on what has been a surprisingly mediocre season so far for the Grand Rapids Griffins has come from a player who didn't even start the season with the team.
Matt Puempel, who joined the Griffins six games in, has been their most productive player in what has been a disappointing stretch of six losses in seven games.
The fifth-year veteran scored his team-leading ninth goal in the Griffins' 4-1 loss to Rockford on Friday.
Scoring threats disappear as Griffins lose to Rockford
Loss of Tyler Bertuzzi and absence of Turner Elson leave Griffins on short end.