Veleno scores three points in second game back with Grand Rapids

It’s been an up-and-down season for Joe Veleno. Without question, Saturday was an “up.” Playing in his second game since being sent down to the Grand Rapids Griffins for the NHL’s All-Star break, Veleno registered a career-high three points on Saturday in the Griffins’ 5–3 win over the Ontario Reign. Veleno also scored against Ontario in Grand Rapids’ 5–2 loss on Friday, bringing his overall weekend total to four points (and seven shots on goal) in two games. The 30th-overall pick from 2018 has seven points (five goals, two assists) in nine AHL games and six points (four goals, two assists) in 31 NHL games this season. Veleno’s goal on Saturday was the first shorthanded marker of his professional career. The 22-year-old forward found the back of the net less than seven minutes into the second period. After streaking through the neutral zone on the forecheck, Veleno stole the puck from Reign defenseman Jordan Spence before going in all alone and scoring an unassisted tally against goaltender Jacob Ingham. All