Detroit Red Wings: Filip Zadina buries a pair for the Griffins

After a slow start on the two-game road trip to start the season, Detroit Red Wings prospect Filip Zadina opens the Van Andel Arena with a bang.

Things did not start the way newly named head coach Ben Simon would have liked.  The Grand Rapids Griffins opened the season with a two-game road trip in the state of Texas.  They would return to Grand Rapids with their tail between their legs.  The Texas Stars beat the Griffins 3-1. The Detroit Red Wings prospects would again remain cold as they traveled to compete with the San Antonio Rampage the following night and would eventually get skunked 4-0.

The Griffins’ big guns were much too quiet during the road trip, but things would change last night as they would return home.  The would better the Hersey Bears 6-3 with the star players delivering the goods.

Filip Zadina would net his first two goals of his professional career in the GR home opener.  The fans were able to get a glimpse of what will be in the future for the Detroit Red Wings.  Matt Puempel, a top forward for the club, recorded a goal and an assist.

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Associate captain Carter Camper recorded a goal along with a pair of helpers.  Detroit Red Wings prospect Dominic Turgeon and Wade Megan both notched goals. Harri Sateri has started all three games thus far for the Griffins; he recorded his first win only facing 22 shots and making 19 saves.  I would expect Patrik Rybar to get the nod tonight in Chicago.

Filip Zadina caught up with Steve Kaminski of Mlive.com to talk about his performance, and the Griffins win;

"“It was an awesome feeling, especially for us because we won the game,” said Zadina, who also had a team-high four shots. “It was our home opener, and we wanted to win this game so badly, and we did it. It was good for us.“I am getting better every single game, and I’m way more comfortable than I was when I played the first game. (The goals) helped me a lot mentally, and I am more confident with the puck. It was such a good game, but we have to continue it (Saturday) in Chicago. I just wanted to help the team win. That’s why I’m here.”"

It is undoubtedly a good sign that the young prospect was able to break out of his slump that has lingered since his poor preseason.  He was unable to get acclimated with the pace of play in the NHL preseason and had a two-game hangover to open the AHL season.

It will serve as a much-needed confidence booster to deliver a pair of twine finders for Zadina.  The Griffins (1-2-0) will play the Chicago Wolves (2-0-0)  tonight at 8 pm Est, in Chicago.