Another member of the Grand Rapids Griffins is choosing to continue his pro hockey career in Europe. Defenseman Radim Simek never got to play for the Detroit Red Wings, but he will be playing for the Tigers.

Simek is returning home to Czechia to play for Liberec White Tigers of the Czech Extraliga. He signed a three-year pact that will keep him with the Czech club through 2027.

Radim Šimek is headed home to Czechia.

It’s sad for us as in the short time he was in GR he quickly became a favorite veteran player for us. Radim played a huge role in filling the gap left on defense when Edvinsson was in Detroit.

Wishing Radim and his family the best back… https://t.co/moaiECUj4x

— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) June 14, 2024

Simek, 31, played with Liberec from 2012-17 prior to joining the San Jose Sharks. He spent most of the past seven seasons in the Sharks organization until he was dealt to Detroit at the NHL trade deadline for forward Klim Kostin.

“I had it in my head that I wanted to join the Tigers and I’m extremely happy that I’m coming back here after seven years,” Simek said on the Liberec web page. “I want to build on the performances I performed here before I left for America,”

He won a championship with the Liberec White Tigers in 2015-16. That spring, Simek was recognized as MVP of the Czech Extraliga playoffs.

“Radim Simek does not need a long introduction, Liberec coach Filip Pesan told the team’s website. “A great person and an excellent hockey player, a moral leader and a role model for our young players are coming to our organization.

“He made it to the NHL thanks to his excellent defensive play combined with offensive tastes, and I believe that we will see such hockey from Radim in a Tiger jersey again. I am glad that Radim will be a prominent face of our club for at least the next three years.”

Only Played 17 Games For Griffins

Simek was serving as captain of the AHL San Jose Barracuda at the time when the Sharks were dealing him to the Red Wings. Then he was given assignment to Grand Rapids.

Get to know Radim Simek who came to the Griffins in early March via trade from the San Jose Sharks where he played 209 NHL games between 2018-23. pic.twitter.com/sQ1cYbOO90

— Bob Kaser (@bkaser1) May 5, 2024

With the Griffins, Simek saw duty in nine regular-season AHL games, collecting one assist. He accounted for two assists through eight games for Grand Rapids in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Simek would play 209 NHL games, all with the Sharks. He would never appear in a Red Wings uniform.

The post Another Griffins Player Heading Overseas appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings happen to think that it’s very important to encounter the culture of winning during a hockey player’s development case. That being the case, Detroit defensive prospect Shai Buium is the owner of a PhD in winning.

Twice in the past three years, he was part of an NCAA championship squad with the Denver Pioneers.

Oh my goodness, Shai Buium (DET) follows his younger brother's goal with an absolute missile of his own. 3-2 Pios pic.twitter.com/dfKFaHCHh3

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) November 18, 2023

“He knows how to win,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson told DHN’s Kevin Allen about Buium. “He’s done it, he’s a big-game player.”

For his part, Buium thinks capturing those two titles gives him an astute understanding of what really matters if you want to be a success in this game.

“I think it just gives you perspective,” Buium said. “How much you have to buy in to the team and how we need to play. You don’t play for yourself, you play for the guy next to you and the logo.

“You learn that stuff, you learn how to be a better leader, you learn how to win hockey games. That’s what you want to do, you want to be a winner.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Kevin Allen rates the defensive prospects in the Detroit system.

The newest member of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Gabriel Seger combines hockey IQ with book smarts.

UPDATE: The Griffins signed forward Gabriel Seger to a one-year contract for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign #GoGRG

DETAILS >> https://t.co/7YHrh0grXu pic.twitter.com/5LVVRtvC2m

— x – Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) June 11, 2024

Here’s why the Red Wings could regress during the 2024-25 NHL season.

Red Wings Offseason

Another former Red Wings player is on the move in Europe. Center Dominic Turgeon is leaving Sweden’s Sodertalje SK to join EC Kassel Huskies of Germany’s DEL2. Turgeon would play nine games for Detroit between 2017-19. Meanwhile, former Griffins winger Marek Tvrdon is returning home. He’ll be joining HC Nove Zamky of the Slovakian League after playing last season with HC Poruba 2011 of Czechia2. Tvrdon, a 2011 Red Wings draftee, played in Grand Rapids from 2013-15.

Hockey Now Network

Florida: Victim of a Leon Draisaitl elbow, Panthers captain Sasha Barkov skated Wednesday, but isn’t a confirmed starter for Game 3 of the Stanley cup final. Florida Panthers

Boston: Jay Leach is rejoining Jim Montgomery’s coaching staff with the Bruins. Boston Bruins

Montreal: Should the Canadiens explore options to move Carey Price’s dead cap space in a trade? Montreal Canadiens

New Jersey: The Devils may want Jacob Markstrom, but there’s no guarantee that the Calgary Flames will be trading him. New Jersey Devils

Philadelphia: Why a Flyers reunion with Wade Allison makes perfect sense. Philadelphia Flyers

Colorado: Wade Klippenstein, director of amateur scouting for the Avalanche, is leaving the club. Colorado Avalanche

San Jose: Zeev Buium was chirping Macklin Celebrini as the top prospects for the 2024 NHL entry draft were attending the Stanley Cup final. San Jose Sharks

The post The Daily: Red Wings Like That Buium is a Winner; Panthers Barkov Uncertain for Game 3 appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Even with Jonatan Berggren, Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson graduating to the Detroit Red Wings next season, the Grand Rapids Griffins are still expecting to have a competitive team.

Part of the Yzerplan is keeping the Griffins in the playoffs to create the best development environment for Detroit prospects. Griffins coach Dan Watson is a major aspect of all of that.  It was important for the Griffins to be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Here is an overview of which players might be back in Grand Rapids next season:

Leaving GR

Jonatan Berggren will get his chance with the Red Wings. He was the Griffins’ top scorer (24-32—56 in 53 games) this season and scored a couple of goals for the Red Wings when called up.

Simon Edvinsson played in 54 AHL games and 16 with the Red Wings, showing the ability that landed him on the opening night roster in 2022-23 and will likely see him stick in Detroit to start next season.

Michael Hutchinson was solid in goal last season but, at 34, the Red Wings will likely tab one of their prospects to team with Sebastian Cossa next season. He may want to join another NHL organization that would give him more of an opportunity to play at the NHL level.

Albert Johansson probably will start the season as the Red Wings’ No. 6 or No. 7 defenseman.

On the Fence

Marco Kasper came on strong down the stretch and could stick in Detroit with a good camp. If he doesn’t, he will return to the Griffins.

Carter Mazur has an outside chance to make the Red Wings.  It’s hard not to admire his feisty style, spunk and his knack for being in the center of the action when his team needs a goal. He needs to add some muscle.

Nate Danielson will get some games with Detroit next season. He’s such a good two-way performer he’s a threat to make the team coming out of training camp.

The Goalies

Sebastian Cossa had a bryeakout season, but Steve Yzerman likes his goalies to have more experience before handing them the NHL reins. He did that in Tampa Bay, too, with Andrei Vasilevski. An entire season as Grand Rapids’ No. 1 goalie would be a positive. Don’t forget he’s only 21.

The big question is Cossa’s backup

John Lethemon had a good season in Toledo, as did his partner, Jan Bednar. Bednar, a fourth-round pick in 2020, will be 22 next season and is finishing his first season in pro hockey. Lethemon, an undrafted Michigan State alum, is 27. There’s a chance both of them will leave the organization.

The Red Wings may be looking for another AHL/NHL veteran to come in as the organization’s No. 3 netminder. They needed three NHL goalies last season.The Red Wings like Carter Gylander. He signed with the Red Wings after finishing his career at Colgate. He could start the season in Toledo and see what happens. Expect to see him in Grand Rapids at some point.

Defense

Shai Buium joined the team late in the season after winning an NCAA title at Denver. William Wallinder and Antti Tuomisto will return, as will team captain Josiah Didier. Wallinder and Tuomisto played well this season, and could play more minutes next season.

Eemil Viro is also under contract with Detroit and should be back.

Don’t expect to see Axel Sandin-Pellika next season. The Wings are content to let him get more experience in Sweden.

Forwards

Don’t forget about Elmer Soderblom. The Red Wings haven’t. He was a productive player in the second half of the season for the Griffins. The Red Wings would like to have his size in their lineup, but he still must prove himself in training camp. He’s still waiver exempt. Amadeus Lombardi should receive an expanded role in Grand Rapids next season Cross Hanas will look to rebound from a disappointing offensive output last season. He had just 16 points in 58 games, one less than in 2022-23 in 28 fewer games. He also sat out the postseason. Austin Czarnik was a Griffin who spent the most time in the NHL last season, playing 34 games in Detroit and 38 in Grand Rapids,

The Griffins will likely bring back some veterans, including Czarnik, Dominik Shine, who is under contract, and possibly Joel L’Esperance, who is a free agent.

More importantly, those who return will have another year under Dan Watson. The learning curve between coach and players won’t be as steep next season, which could mean a better start and finish next year.

The post Griffins Will Bring Back Enough Talent to Stay in the Hunt appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

MILWAUKEE – Early in the third period, the Grand Rapids Griffins found themselves down 2-0 to the Milwaukee Admirals.

They were in the same position Friday night, then scored four goals in the third to take a 4-2 victory.

But lightning didn’t strike twice for the Griffins, who lost to the Admirals 2-0 Sunday night  in the fifth and deciding game of their Central Division championship series.

“We just couldn’t capitalize on our opportunities tonight,” Griffins coach Dan Watson said on the team’s postgame radio show. “But overall, I shared with the guys just their work ethic, their compete level, the attention to detail, their willingness to get better every day. As a coach, that’s all we can ask for.”

Milwaukee will play the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the Western Conference finals, which begin Wednesday. The Firebirds will host the first two games of the best-of-seven series.

The Admirals scored early, when Zach L’Heureux took a pass from Cal O’Reilly at center ice and  scored a short-handed goal at the 4:5e mark.

Another game, another shorthanded tally from Zach L’Heureux. @mkeadmirals | #MILvsGR | #CalderCup pic.twitter.com/PP1Ze7UnSG

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) May 26, 2024

Milwaukee goalie Troy Grosenick made it stand up.

The Griffins outskated the Admirals for much of  the first half of the game. But they couldn’t solve the 34-year-old Grosenick, who is on his fourth AHL team in as many seasons. He stopped all 30 Griffins shots. Grosenick played because Nashville Predators blue chip prospect Yaroslav Askarov was injured late in Game 4.

Cossa Stands Out in Losing Effort

Grand Rapids netminder Sebastian Cossa was almost as good.  He shone in the third period, making save after save as the Admirals dominated play. The Admirals outshot the Griffins 16-7 in the third period, and 36-30 for the game. Cossa owned a save percentage of .900 or better in seven of his nine playoff starts.

Milwaukee got an insurance g0al from Ryan Ufko at the 3:00 mark and peppered Cossa for the rest of the period.

RYAN UFKO. REMEMBER THE NAME.#MILhockey pic.twitter.com/H4JQDrG2ZX

— y – Milwaukee Admirals (@mkeadmirals) May 27, 2024

The Griffins were without defensemen Simon Edvinsson who was injured in Game 4, missing the final seven minutes of that contest. Radim Simek did not dress for the game.  Josiah Didier was inserted into the lineup as the Griffins went with six defensemen rather than the seven they used on Friday.

Watson finished his first season behind the Griffins bench with a 37-28-3 record.

The post Griffins Ousted By Milwaukee In Calder Cup Playoffs appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

This story was updated to reflect an AHL official scoring change. Detroit Red Wings prospect Berggren was originally credited with three goals. However, an AHL review the next day showed one of his shots was tipped in by Marco Kasper. Simon Edvinsson also lost an assist on a goal and Elmer Soderblom gained an assist.

GRAND RAPIDS–The Griffins got the dominant scorer they needed and Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman saw a performance he wanted to see when Jonatan Berggren turned an AHL playoff game into his show.

Berggren produced two impressive goals and an assist in a span of 3:30 minutes to lift the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 4-2 come-from-behind win against the Milwaukee Admirals in Game 4 of their playoff series.  That sets up a Game 5 Sunday in Milwaukee (6 p.m.) to decide who advances to the next round of the AHL playoffs.

“He wants the big stage and he’s ready for it,” Griffins coach Dan Watson said. “He thrives in those situations. You can see how he engages more when stuff is on the line.”

Griffins Top Line

Linemates Berggren, Marco Kasper and Carter Mazur combined for 14 shots on goal. Berggren generated six of them.

Berggren’s goals were highlight-reel quality “He’s an unbelievable  player,” Mazur said. “He knows where to be in the right situations and knows how to put the puck in the net. He’s just a high level player who always knows to do the right things.”

Ready or not, Berggren will be a Red Wings player at the start of the 2024-25 season. He is no longer be waiver exempt, meaning he would have to be put through the waivers to be returned to the AHL. Yzerman says he believes Berggren would be claimed by another NHL team. Clearly, scouts are intrigued by his ability to find the net.

To see what odds makers think about next season’s Red Wings, Sports betting in Canada is available for Canadian readers.

These three goals give him six goals and 10 points in eight playoff games. Four of his goals have been game-winners. Berggren put up 24 goals and 57 points in 54 regular-season games for the Griffins. In 79 career games with the Red Wings, Berggren boasts 17 goals.

Berggren has proven he can score. But there is far more to hockey than scoring goals, and Berggren’s overall game has sometimes not been to coach Derek Lalonde’s liking. Berggren has taken some poor-decision penalties and not been as attentive to his defensive responsibilities as he needs to be.

Act of Redemption

“He showed up in that third period, after (taking) a tough penalty, a bad penalty in the second period, a selfish one (for roughing),” Watson said after Berggren put on his late show. “We talked about it. But he showed up in the third period and responded and helped our team win.”

Berggren was focused in that third period. He hardly celebrated his goals. “I was pretty dialed in. Pretty mad,” Berggren said. “It was a  tough game. I am more happy now that I know we have won the game.”

Both the Rockford IceHogs last series, and the Admirals in this series, have targeted Berggren because he is the Griffins’ top scorer, but Berggren has delivered in both series.

“It’s been a little tough in both series for body and mind,” Berggren said. “But that’s playoff hockey. This is my first time playoff hockey in North America, but I’m just happy we have won some games and are still in it.”

One thing is for sure: the Griffins count on Berggren raising his level in important games. Plus, Watson has said that Berggren has worked on the areas of his game that the Red Wings have asked him to improve. He’s a better all-around player than he was at the start of this season.

The post Berggren Trying To Be The Player Red Wings Want Him to Be appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

While on the one hand enjoying his first experience being around the pro game, Detroit Red Wings defense prospect Andrew Gibson is also embracing the opportunity to go to work.

“In junior, a lot of the guys, we like to have fun,” said Gibson, who spent his season with the OHL Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. “Play golf, relax, stuff like that.”

Andrew Gibson #LGRW
3 year entry level contract
$896,667 cap hit / $950k AAV

Breakdown:
2024-25: $775k base + $95k SB + $80k PB
2025-26: $775k base + $95k SB + $80k PB
2026-27: $855k base + $95k SB https://t.co/gXGZSro9Wk

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) April 29, 2024

Signed to a contract by the Red Wings at season’s end, Gibson is learning how the upper half of hockey lives as an extra player with the Grand Rapids Griffins during the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.

“In pro, it’s their job,” Gibson said. “Guys are fighting for your job and trying to take your spot.

“Learning from them, seeing what they do and seeing what I need to do for the rest of my life, it’s really good.”

Bittersweet Turnaround For Gibson

In a matter of hours last week, Gibson was living that old Wide World Of Sports axiom. He felt the agony of defeat when the Soo fell in the second round of the OHL playoffs in a Game 7 loss to the Saginaw Spirit.

“It was tough series that went to Game 7 and it didn’t go our way, which was unfortunate,” Gibson said. “I was mad.”

Not long after the letdown came the thrill of victory. Gibson was signing an entry-level pact with the Red Wings, who selected him 42nd overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed defenseman Andrew Gibson to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2024-25 season.

Gibson will report to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. pic.twitter.com/eXVwvPv2k0

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 28, 2024

“I wish I could still be there with the guys, but signing that contract – when I heard the news I was with my teammates and they all congratulated me,” Gibson recollected. “It was good being around them when that happened. It’s great.”

Even though he established career highs this season with 12 goals and 44 points, it was at the other end of the ice where the 6-foot-4, 206-pound Gibson felt he took the most strides.

“I think my defensive game took a huge step this year,” said Gibson, 19. “My stick and my physical play really excelled.

“That’s what they were telling me to work on. I think I really improved on that part of my game.”

Experience Gibson’s Greatest Teacher

As much as he can tell Gibson what he wants him to do, Griffins coach Dan Watson figures the young defenseman will absorb it much more fluidly by seeing the example set by some of the veteran defensemen on the Grand Rapids roster.

It’s as much about life lessons as it is about hockey lessons.

“Just to see how it operates, how everything works at the pro versus the junior level,” Watson explained. “Some of the biggest things are what do you do all day? You get done the day around one o’clock. How do you fill your time? It’s completely different in junior.

“For him, it’s being around guys who are pros. Josiah Didier, Wyatt Newpower, (Brogan) Rafferty. (Radek) Simek is a big one, too. He does the right things all the time.

“Just being around these guys and seeing how they operate on a day-to-day basis, what they do away from the arena – how they eat, take care of their bodies. I think it’s a good eye-opening experience for him.”

The post Red Wings Prospect Gibson Ready to go to Work appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Emmitt Finnie left the NHL entry draft with a chance and on a mission.

“Definitely I feel like I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder going into the year,” Finnie said. The draft was nearly reaching its conclusion when Finnie finally got to hear his name called. He was made the 201st overall selection by Detroit.

On the one hand, he was delighted.

“To get drafted is obviously an honor it itself,” Finnie said.

On the other hand, he was filled with determintion to be making the teams that passed on him live with regret.

“I feel like people looked over me a little bit, so I just wanted to make the most of my opportunity,” Finnie said.

Consider that mission accomplished. Finnie went back to junior with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL and lit it up. He would go on to post career highs with 19 goals and 40 assists. He was sharing team MVP honors.

Post-game media turned into a full family affair with Marshall, Emmitt and Cheyno Finnie!#TheKingdom | #EDMvsKAM pic.twitter.com/tYXXZabhJ1

— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) February 21, 2023

“We had a younger team this year in Kamloops, so I took a bigger role offensively,” Finnie explained. “I logged some big minutes for our team, so I felt like I put myself in a great spot.

“I was trying to play a two-way game. Thankfully it worked out.”

In March, the Red Wings were signing their 2023 seventh-round pick to an entry-level contract.

“I was on the bus driving to (Prince George) when my agent called me and told me they offered me a contract,” Finnie said. “I felt like I put myself in a spot to be signed but you’re never sure if you’re gonna get it.”

Red Wings Pick Sees Action With Griffins

Still only 18, the 6-foot-1, 183-pound center would join the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins at the conclusion of the season in Kamloops. Finnie was supposed to be there to observe and to learn. Almost immediately, he was given the best seat in the house. He wound up suiting up for three AHL games.

Get to know our new Griffin, Emmitt Finnie! #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/a0EvGxkQ7b

— x – Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) April 10, 2024

“He wasn’t even supposed to get into games and we needed him,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “For him it was great, an 18-year-old kid to come out here and get opportunities against really good teams.

“His first game was against Milwaukee, the best team in our division. For him to be able to come in and do that speaks volumes.”

Finnie Heading Back To Junior

Next season will see Finnie back with the Blazers for his final season of junior action. But he’ll be going back there with a contract in his back pocket and a map defining a route to pro hockey foremost in his mind.

“Another guy that has to get stronger,” Watson said. “But he works, he’s smart. He’s gonna be a good center man. He’s got the length and the stick. I like the skills that he has.

“Overall, I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen here in the last few weeks.”

The post Red Wings Prospect Defying The Odds appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read.

The post Six-Foot-6 Cossa Growing as Red Wings Prospect (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

A change is about to be made that could be looming large for the Grand Rapids Griffins in Game 3 of their Calder Cup series with the Rockford IceHogs.

Towering forward Elmer Soderblom will be back in action for the Griffins. He was missing during the first two games of the series due to a lingering illness.

“That’s the plan,” Griffins coach Dan Watson said. “He was unavailable (Wednesday) night . . . getting over the sickness that he’s had for a long time here.”

“It looks like he’s finally turned that corner. Now it’s just making sure he has the capacity to handle the amount we want to give him and the amount of minutes he needs to play and play at a high level.”

There haven't been many 6'8" players in the National Hockey League, as only nine players have ever hit the 80-inch mark.

After playing 21 games last season, Elmer Soderblom could be a big piece of the @DetroitRedWings' future.@TonyLuftman | @MikeKellyNHL | #LGRW | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/uKctFXEuY2

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) July 31, 2023

With the best-of-seven set deadlocked at 1-1, Watson wasn’t even attempting to hide his delight about the impending opportunity to unleash the 6-foot-8, 255-pound Soderblom to wreak havoc against the IceHogs.

His size obviously,” Watson listed as the big thing Soderblom brings to the ice. “The puck protection down low. Getting some traffic in front of the net.

“It’s something we lacked (Wednesday) night and even lacked a little in Game 1. When he’s moving, when he’s using his body, he’s physical, he’s a presence out there.”

Griffins Soderblom Second Half Sensation

Last season, the player Detroit chose 159th overall in the 2019 NHL entry draft began the campaign with the Red Wings. At midseason following an injury, Soderblom was given assignment to the AHL Griffins, where he’s been playing ever since.

After a slow start to the 2023-24 AHL season, Soderblom was ramping up his performance. Over his past 12 games, Soderblom netted five goals. He scored eight of his 13 goals on the season for the Griffins in his past 22 games.

“He started imposing his will a little bit on the opposition,” Watson said. “By that I mean he was getting in the corners, using his size the right way. He wasn’t really on the outside, he was playing more inside, getting inside the dots, getting around the net, which he wasn’t doing at the start of the year.

POV: Elmer Soderblom is tipping shots in front of you… pic.twitter.com/hqqaxRyopK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 23, 2023

“He was trying to be a little too creative, a little too fancy. Too much stickwork and stickhandling.”

Since simplifying his approach, Soderblom has been simply sensational.

“He made it simple,” Watson said. “He played the game north and south, he got in on the forecheck, again using his length and reach to the most of his ability.

“That kind of helped propel him into a more offensive role, more so than he got in the first half.”

The post Big Change Coming For Griffins Entering Game 3 appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

GRAND RAPIDS — Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman expects prospects to spend an extended time with the  Griffins in the American Hockey League because he wants them to experience each of the highs and lows of pro hockey before they arrive in the NHL.

If prospects are paying attention, then valuable lessons can be learned in the AHL.

That’s what happened to the Grand Rapids Griffins Wednesday night when they lost a 5-1 decision to Rockford IceHogs in Game 2 of  the best-of-five Central Division Semifinal. The series is tied 1-0 and the Griffins’ young players were left to wonder what just happened to them. Game 3 is Friday in Grand Rapids.

“The playoffs are hard,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “And we talk about every game getting harder. That’s the lesson right there: We thought tonight was hard — wait until Game 3. They are going to want to strike against us and go home with a lead. And we have to be prepared for that.”

This was the 14th time the Griffins had played the IceHogs this season, and Grand Rapids had won seven of those games, counting Game 1 of those playoffs. Not once had the IceHogs pinned this kind of  lopsided loss on the Griffins. But the Griffins and IceHogs had not played a game with this level of importance before Wednesday’s game.

“You have an opportunity to grab a 2-0 series lead and you come out flat,” Watson said. “That’s not acceptable here. You want to make sure the guys know what the standards are.”

Post-Game Address

Watson felt strongly about delivering that message that he spoke to the players as a group after the game. He didn’t do that once during his first regular-season with the team.

“You don’t want to lose the way we lost tonight,” Watson said. “…It’s a wake-up call. And that’s for everybody, including the staff, myself included. We have to make sure these guys are prepared.”

It all turned bad for the Griffins in this playoff game. Their offense was unfocused. Goalie Sebastian Cossa wasn’t at his best.  Everyone seemed disconnected.

Austin Czarnik lights the lamp first in #GRvsRFD. @griffinshockey | #CalderCup pic.twitter.com/u8QQGjkHHU

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) May 1, 2024

“It’s a tough league and guys are battling every night,” Cossa said. “Reset and come back on Friday with a big night of vengeance.”

It’s difficult to remember that they led 1-0 on a goal by Austin Czarnik midway through the first period before it all began to fall apart. He played on Grand Rapids’ top line with Jonatan Berggren and Carter Mazur.

“They out-competed us, they outdid everything against us,” Czarnik said. “Special teams were not good enough tonight. That’s a key part of the game where you need to capitalize on them. We didn’t do either. There’s lots to look at tomorrow. We’ll see what happens but that was unacceptable.”

Czarnik said maybe the team will benefit from this experience.

“A lot of young guys here but it’s good for them,” Czarnik said. “They need this, the experience of the ups and downs. I think it’s gonna be really good.”

The post Griffins Learn Important Lesson in Game 2 Loss to Rockford appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.