For the 14th time in franchise history and the 4th year in a row, the Grand Rapids Griffins have clinched a playoff spot in the race for the Calder Cup.

The confirmation came last night when Griffins downed the Rochester Americans 5-2. Trailing 1-0 going into the second period, the Griffins scored five straight goals through the second and third periods. They were led in points by Zach Nastasiuk (2G, 1A) and Louis-Marc Aubry (1G, 1A). Tom McCollum posted 30 saves and secured his 9th win in his last 11 games. This will be head coach Todd Nelson’s fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

Last year, the Griffins made a second round exit, but in 2012-2013, they brought home the Calder Cup. Notable names on that roster were Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, and Petr Mrazek.

That the Griffins continue to perform well into the postseason bodes well for the Red Wings, as it prepares the future Wings for longer seasons and playing in high-pressure situations. The deeper they go, the more the value of each individual player increases.

Good luck to the Griffins! If nothing else, they are proving that the future of the Red Wings organization is still a bright one.