Griffins Report: Grand Rapids Takes 3 out of 4

The Grand Rapids Griffins won three of four games last week and have improved their season record to 20-19-7.  The Griffins started the week splitting a two-game series against Texas.  The weekend concluded with Grand Rapids defeating Rockford 5-2 at home on Saturday followed by a 5-2 victory in Rockford on Sunday.  The Griffins remain in a close battle for the 4th and final playoff spot in the Central Division.

Player Preview:  Jared McIsaac

Jared McIsaac continues to show improvement with the Griffins.  The former 2nd round pick in 2018 will be 22 next month.

In four games last week, McIsaac scored one goal, one assist, two points, and a +2 rating.  In 45 games this season, McIsaac now has five goals, 12 assists, 17 points, a -5 rating, and 78 shots on goal.

McIsaac is currently in the 2nd year of his three-year entry-level contract with Detroit.  His contract calls for a $764,167 cap hit at the NHL level and $70,000 to play in the AHL.

Watch the trade deadline deals to see if a LD is traded from Detroit, and McIsaac will likely be the first Griffins player called up to the Red Wings.

Detroit Red Wings Prospects Update

Taro Hirose continues to lead the Griffins in scoring.  Hirose chipped in with two goals and three assits during the four games last week.  Hirose was also the 3rd star in Tuesday’s win over Texas.  In 45 games, Hirose has scored 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points, and a -9 rating.

Jonatan Berggren also had a terrific week for the Griffins.  In four games, Berggren scored two goals and added two assists.  Berggren was named 1st star of the game on Tuesday and the 3rd star on Sunday.  Berggren remains in 2nd place in scoring on the Griffins.  In 43 games, Berggren has 13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points, and a -8 rating.

Kyle Criscuolo remains 3rd in scoring for the Griffins.  Criscuolo chipped in with three asists in four games last week.  In 37 games, Criscuolo has 12 goals, 17 assists, 29 points, and a -5 rating.

Ryan Murphy continues to be the top scoring defenseman for the Griffins.  Murphy scored two goals and added two assists in the four games last week.  Murphy was named 3rd star on Wednesday and 2nd star on Saturday.  In 42 games, Murphy has scored 10 goals, 13 assists, 23 points, and a -8 rating.  Murphy also leads all Griffins defensemen with 81 shots on goal.

Joe Veleno was returned to the Griffins for the weekend games against Rockford.  In the two games, Veleno scored one goal and assisted on two.  Veleno was also named 2nd star in the win on Sunday.  In 11 games this season, Veleno has six goals, four assists, 10 points, and a -2 rating.  Veleno will likely return to Detroit after the Red Wings clear roster spots during the trade deadline frenzy.

Luke Witkowski had a terrfic game on Saturday.  Witkowski scored one goal, added one assist, and was named 1st star.  In 36 games, Witkowski has scored three goals, four assists, seven points, and a +8 rating.

Calvin Pickard played the first three games during the week.  Pickard recorded two wins and one loss.  Pickard was also named 3rd star in the Saturday victory over Rockford.  On the season, Pickard has a record of 16-11-5, with a 2.51 GAA, and .921 SV%, in 33 games.

Victor Brattstrom earned the win on Sunday.  Brattstrom made 31 saves on 33 shots.  In 13 games, Brattstrom now has a record of 4-7-2, with a 3.72 GAA, and an .885 SV%.

Next Week

Grand Rapids begins this week with a road game in Cleveland on Wednesday.  Game time is 7:00 PM ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH.  The Griffins then host Bakersfield for two games beginning on Friday and concluding on Saturday.  Both games will be played at 7:00 PM ET at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.