Griffins Report: A terrific three game week at home

The Grand Rapids Griffins had a very successful three game home stand last week going 2-0-1.  They began the week on Wednesday defeating Milwaukee 7-2.  On Friday night, the Griffins defeated Iowa 3-1.  On Saturday, the Griffins lost a 2-1 OT match against Cleveland.

Player Preview: Taro Hirose

Taro Hirose continues to lead the Griffins in scoring.  In 27 games, Hirose has scored seven goals and 25 points.  In the three games last week, Hirose scored one goal and chipped in with two assists.

Hirose is on the final season of his two-year two-way deal with the Red Wings.  According to eliteprospects.com, Hirose is earning $190,000 while playing for the Griffins.  When he is recalled to Detroit, Hirose earns a pro-rated salary of $850,000 depending on the number of days he is on Detroit’s active roster.  Hirose will be a RFA at the end of this season.

Detroit Prospect Update

Kyle Criscuolo played all three games for the Griffins last week.  Criscuolo scored one goal and added one assist during the week.  For the season, he’s is currently second in Griffins scoring with 10 goals and 22 points in 20 games.  Criscuolo is in the first of a two-year deal with the Red Wings.   According to eliteprospects.com, he’s is earning $170,000 while playing for the Griffins.  When he is recalled to Detroit, Criscuolo earns a pro-rated salary of $750,000 depending on the number of days he is on Detroit’s active roster.  Criscuolo will be an UFA at the end of his contract.

Jonatan Berggren is currently third in Griffins scoring.  Last week, Berggren added one assist to his points total in two games.  Berggren now has seven goals and 20 points in 26 games this season.  Berggren is currently in the first year of his three-year entry-level deal with Detroit.

Chase Pearson had one goal and one assist for the Griffins last week.  Pearson continues to play a third line role for the Griffins.  In 26 games this season, Pearson has four goals and 13 points with a -6 rating.  Pearson will be a RFA at the end of the season.

Jared McIsaac added one assist in three games for the Griffins last week.  In 27 games this season, McIsaac has two goals and nine points with a -4 rating.  McIsaac is currently in the second year of his three-year entry level deal with Detroit.

Calvin Pickard continues to play the majority of games in goal for the Griffins.  On Wednesday, Pickard saved 27/29 shots for the victory.  On Friday, Pickard was the first star when he saved 35/36 shots in the 3-1 victory.   For the season, Pickard has played 23 games and has a 12-7-3 record, a 2.34 GAA, and a .930 SV%.  Pickard will be an UFA at the end of the season.

Victor Brattstrom played a very good game on Saturday for the Griffins.  Despite the OT loss, Brattstrom stopped 34/36 shots and earned 2nd star of the game.  For the season in Grand Rapids, Brattstrom has a 1-3-2 record in six games.  He has also recorded a 4.45 GAA and an .865 SV%.  Brattstrom will be a RFA at the end of the season.

Next Week

The Griffins play three games this week.  They begin the week on Wednesday when the team travels to Chicago to play the Wolves.  Game time is 8:00 PM ET at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL.  The Griffins host the Manitoba Moose in a pair of weekend games.  They begin the weekend on Friday and conclude the series on Saturday.  Both weekend games are at 7:00 PM ET at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.