The Grand Rapids Griffins Have Won The Calder Cup
By Nick Seguin
6 years agoFor the second time in five years, the Grand Rapids Griffins are Calder Cup Champions. The final blow against Syracuse’s Crunch came in the third period of the sixth game of the Calder Cup Finals. Martin Frk blasted a shot from the point late in the third period to seal the deal and bring a championship back to Grand Rapids.
It was by no means an easy series for the Red Wings farm team. After a five game series victory against the Pacific Division Champion San Jose Barracuda, the Griffins were well rested coming into the final round and they showed it, scoring less than five minutes into the first period of game one. Syracuse would eventually get it back and, in fact, take the lead for most of the first and second periods. The Griffins escaped with the victory, though, as playoff hero Tomas Nosek scored the go-ahead goal with only fourteen seconds remaining in regulation.
Game two was much more high scoring as the teams tied 5-5 at the end of regulation. Nosek put up another multi-point game with a goal and an assist. Other goal scorers included Tyler Bertuzzi, Martin Frk, Ben Street, and Evgeny Svechnikov. This game’s hero, though, ended up being Ben Street who scored seven minutes into the second overtime period.
With a 2-0 series lead going into game 3, the Griffins entered Syracuse with a ton of confidence. The Crunch battled back, though, winning the game 5-3 led by Joel Vermin’s two goals. The Griffs stormed back in game 4, though, led by Dan Renouf’s two goals. Jared Coreau turned away 31 shots in the team’s 3-2 victory.
The Griffins were so close to winning it all going into game 5 in Syracuse. One more game and they’d be hoisting the Calder Cup over their heads. Well, the Crunch weren’t ready for that yet. They came out and scored FIVE goals in the first period, starting only seventeen seconds in. Ben Street managed to score one goal in the third period, but the Griffins couldn’t do more than that. They’d have to play at least one more game, but at least it would be at home in Grand Rapids.
That game was tonight. The Griffins got off to a slow start, falling behind 1-0 in the first period on a bad giveaway by Jared Coreau behind the net. It was the only goal of the first period, despite the Griffins being on the powerplay for the last 3:30 of the period.
They came out much stronger in the second period, with Matt Ford scoring on the powerplay only eighteen seconds in. The goal was a bit of a relief as the Griffins have struggled mightily on the powerplay throughout these playoffs. Syracuse would steal the lead back seven minutes later when Matt Taormina picked up a rebound in the slot. Mitch Callahan responded on a fanned pass from the Syracuse goaltender, but the Griffins weren’t able to hold on to the tie and exited the period down 3-2.
The second period was not good for the Griffins. They were outplayed badly for most of it. But the third period was much different. Tyler Bertuzzi scored a franchise record goal at 3:50 of the period, effectively tying the game at 3. The Griffins were buzzing after that goal, but Syracuse played equally as hard as they fought for their season. Chances went back and forth and it was Grand Rapids who was able to convert on a rocket from the point by Marty Frk.
That would go down as the game winner as the Grand Rapids Griffins won their second Calder Cup in five years.
The victory marks the second time the Griffins have won the Calder Cup in five years. In 2013, Jeff Blashill coached a team led by Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, and Riley Sheahan to a championship. This year, the team was led by Tomas Nosek (19 GP, 10 G, 12 A), Ben Street (19 GP, 8 G, 13 A), Tyler Bertuzzi (19 GP, 9 G, 10 A), and Eric Tangradi (19 GP, 2 G, 17 A). Of those leaders, Nosek and Bertuzzi likely have the best shot at making the Red Wings next year, but Ken Holland also indicated that Evgeny Svechnikov and Joe Hicketts were also his radar for next season.
The most impressive performance in this post-season, however, belonged to Bertuzzi who set the record for most postseason goals in franchise history. In addition to setting this record, Bertuzzi was named the AHL’s Playoff MVP. Extremely well deserved.
After a rough season for Red Wings fans where we lost Gordie Howe and Mr. I, the playoff streak and Joe Louis Arena, the Griffins victory is a welcome celebration to the organization. There is hope for the Red Wings future and that is a reassuring thought.
Please join us in congratulating the Grand Rapids Griffins on their Calder Cup victory!
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