OT: Grand Rapids Griffins on the Brink of Winning Their First Calder Cup

Submitted by littlebrownjug on

For all of us diehard hockey fans (particularly, Red Wings fans), it has been fun to watch the Grand Rapids Griffins' run through the AHL playoffs. I am particularly impressed with the job that recent Michigan grad, Luke Glendenning, has done, and I think he could have a nice career in minor hockey. In fact, he scored a goal tonight in Grand Rapids' win, which put them up 3-0 agains the Syracuse Crunch in the Calder Cup Finals. Way to go, Joe!

NOLA Wolverine

June 12th, 2013 at 10:36 PM ^

Dekeyser is back and playing now, right? I know he got "sent down" immediately after the game 7 loss, but I haven't heard explicitly that he's back and playing in games. 

And on the topic of hockey, there's a pretty good game they've got going on NBC right now...

philgoblue

June 12th, 2013 at 11:03 PM ^

Packed house except for maybe 200 in the nose-bleeds. Glendenning had a strong game, including a key goal. We played a bit sloppy in our zone and their first goal should have been waived off, but the bounces went our way. I think we took their strongest punch and should be in good shape on Friday.

ftroop

June 13th, 2013 at 11:10 AM ^

Their first goal showed why the refs were not NHL refs.  I was glad they managed to get the goonery calmed down, though.  Was on the home goal line in row 2 /coolstorybro and it was a great crowd.

Fhshockey112002

June 12th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^

Tomas Tatar has emerged as a pure goal scorer this season. Even while Nyquist and Andersson were up with the Wings Tatar lead the AHL Playoffs in goals. He scored again tonight to bring his total to 13.  At 22 I think he has a really high ceiling as a goal scorer at any level.

justingoblue

June 12th, 2013 at 11:15 PM ^

turned it off in the OT intermission because whatever.

Wish someone would televise the AHL playoffs or even just the finals. It would cost like six dollars for the rights and it's not like this is the busiest season for sports.

Sideline

June 13th, 2013 at 12:00 AM ^

I totally agree with this. It's like the college hockey playoffs, extremely entertaining, these AHL games are crazy fast paced and there's no huge names bc next to no one makes 7 figure (even 6- figure is significantly less than the NHL) salaries in the AHL.

A lot of these guys are up and commers too

justingoblue

June 13th, 2013 at 12:27 AM ^

When it comes to casual sports watching, though, getting it on the cable box is a must. I'll watch soccer I don't care much about on TV (no knock on it, just not in my usual programming) before putting hockey I don't care much about on the computer.

They have a better deal than M hockey, though, free streaming of every game through a legit website.

Edit: Well apparently I was an idiot for turning this game off at the end of regulation. Anyone else watching Chicago v. Boston in 3OT?

NOLA Wolverine

June 13th, 2013 at 12:42 AM ^

I have no idea why this isn't an open thread on the MGoBoard. We're supposed to be in a hockey region.

I've felt like the Hawks have had to work a lot harder to keep even with the bruins until that last OT. Now it's just pure grite. To me the Bruins look like they're in good position to win the series, but tonight looks like a tossup at this point. 

EDIT: It's like the Blackhawks don't even care about face off rules tonight. Although, given that they're going up against Bergeron, I can see why.