Griffins Report: Grand Rapids finally breaks seven game skid

The Grand Rapids Griffins finally came through with one win in three games last week.  The Griffins started the week with a 4-3 loss at home against Toronto.  The Griffins then split the weekend series with Ontario losing 5-2 on Friday then getting back into the win column with a 5-3 victory on Saturday.

The Griffins now have a record of 16-17-7, good for 6th place in the Central Division.

(Upcoming Article: Grand Rapids Griffins Mid-Term Grades will be posted this Friday PM)

Player Preview:  Joe Veleno

The Detroit Red Wings sent forward Joe Veleno back to Grand Rapids for both weekend games.  It was All-Star Weekend for the NHL, and it was a good chance for Veleno to play some important minutes, and get his confidence back after a miserable stretch in the NHL.

Veleno really hasn’t been given much of a chance at the NHL level.  He is averaging just over 12 minute of ice time each game, primarily plays on the 4th line, and doesn’t see much, if any time on the PP.

The weekend in Grand Rapids was a huge success for one of the Red Wings top prospects.  On Friday, Veleno scored one PP goal and had three shots on goal.  On Saturday, Veleno scored a SH goal, added two assists, had four shots on goal, was +1, and was named the 1st star of the game.

There is not doubt that if he is used properly, Veleno can be a solid addition to the Detroit roster.  He will likely be recalled to the Red Wings for their game on Wednesday, and hopefully is granted the appropriate ice time he deserves.

Detroit Red Wings Prospects Update

Taro Hirose continues to lead the Griffins in scoring.  Hirose chipped in with two assists during the three games last week.  In 39 games, Hirose has scored nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points, and a -11 rating.

Jonatan Berggren scored one goal and added one assist in three games last week.  Berggren remains in 2nd place in scoring on  the Griffins.  In 37 games, Berggren has nine goals, 20 assists, 29 points, and a -9 rating.

Kyle Criscuolo remains 3rd in scoring for the Griffins.  Criscuolo had one assist in three games last week.  In 31 games, Criscuolo has 12 goals, 14 assists, 26 points, and a -3 rating.

Ryan Murphy continues to be the top scoring defenseman for the Griffins.  Murphy had one goal against Toronto and was named 3rd star of the game.  In 36 games, Murphy has scored seven goals, 11 assists, 18 points, and a -6 rating.

Jared McIsaac looks like he is almost ready to get a shot at the NHL level.  On Saturday, McIsaac scored what proved to be the game winning goal and earned 3rd star of the game.  In 39 games, McIsaac has four goals, 10 assists, 14 points, a -5 rating, and leads all defensemen with 67 shots on goal.

Wyatt Newpower continues to show improvement while playing defense for the Griffins.  In three games last week, Newpower had two assists and a +2 rating.  On Saturday, Newpower chipped in with one assist, was +2, and three shots on goal.  In 34 games, Newpower has three goals, five assists, eight points, and an even +/- rating.

Dan Renouf scored his first goal of the season on Friday.  Renouf continues to lead the Griffins with a +11 rating.  In 28 games this year, Renouf has scored one goal, seven assists, and eight points.

Donovan Sebrango played two of the three games this week.  Sebrango was held without a point and was -2 for the week.  In 34 games, Sebrango has one goal, five assists, six points, and a +5 rating.

Next Week

Grand Rapids play two road games in Iowa this week.  They begin the week on Thursday and conclude the two-game series on Friday.  Both games have 8:00 PM ET starting times and will be played at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA.