4 heroes emerge as Grand Rapids Griffins roast more than a pig (3 Red Wings prospects)

Marco Kasper

Yes, I just wrote about Marco Kasper. I understand that variety is the spice of life, but it would be illegal to list 3 players without including Kasper in the list. (I don’t make the rules, just abide by them.)

I’m confident in stating that Kasper has been the Grand Rapids Griffins best player so far and it’s not particularly a close race as of this third game in the series.

Every shift, Kasper wants it. Whether it’s the puck, playing the body, winning a battle, getting to the slot, getting out of the slot, winning a faceoff, or anything else you can imagine, Kasper’s wants it. More than any player on the ice. With his growing confidence, Kasper's offensive game is budding nicely:

At one point, the rebellious Kasper snuck an opponent's stick in between the benches where Larry Figurski (radio/tv anchor for the Grand Rapids Griffins) worked the game. Sadly, it was a stick for righties rather than for lefties, otherwise we might have seen a new player for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Nasty, competitive, disciplined, and feisty, Kasper is shining. He's quenchy a fanbase's thirst playoff glory:

Will anyone else on the Grand Rapids Griffins catch Kasper in terms of the best player award? Probably not. They’re too busy resting on the bench, meanwhile Kasper is flying across the ice killing guys. 

(In all seriousness, every player in the Detroit Red WIngs organization should have whatever Kasper and Lucas Raymond have in the offseason, as their conditioning is ridiculous.)

The Mean Ghost finished the game with a goal, 7 shots on goal, and made a young Grand Rapids Griffins fan’s dream come true (threw him a shirt as the second star of the night).

Jonatan Berggren

Another re-entry to the list, but it's deserved all the same.

Any chance I get to plug Jonatan Berggren, I will take it. He works his tail off, has fun, and keeps playing regardless of the referees. (Berggren only exists to linesemen who blow play dead at the blue line whether it was offsides or not, I’m not bitter.)

There’s nothing but respect for a player that hardly anyone takes seriously on the ice. Maybe, the kid is just lucky and his skills aren’t translatable to the NHL. Then again, everyone said he’s too small. He doesn’t get to the inside of the ice enough. He’s only good at passing, not a goalscorer. One-trick ponies can only do so much.

All series, Berggren has played to the best of his ability, dancing across the ice with regularity. No longer a small, perimeter, pass-only player, Berggren has improved every aspect of his game. Even making a great defensive play tonight.

In 2 wins this series, both came off of Berggren’s stick in overtime. As a self-proclaimed non-goalscorer, Berggren sure knows how to score goals. If this keeps up, he might not be able to make that statement much longer:

Fortunately for the Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings fans, it seems that Berggren is finding his groove. As Bob Kaser, the VP/Broadcaster of the Grand Rapids Griffins, alluded to Friday night, Berggren has a flare for the dramatic. 

Dramatic? Berggren? 

The Dramatic Dancing King finished with a goal, assist, and 5 shots on goal. Just 1 fight shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick.

Sebastian Cossa

Let’s address the elephant in the room: stopping 27 of 30 shots on goal (for a .900 goals against average) isn’t ideal. I’m sure Cossa wants all of the goals back–it’s just who he is as a competitor.

As a fan, I understand there is more to the game than simply numbers. 

Last game, Cossa surrendered 5 goals, but he was also run early on in the game. It was considered incidental contact. In the very next game, an opponent checked Cossa and hit him in the head, knocking his helmet off of his head.

In any conceivable league, head contact is considered more than a 2 minute penalty. The American Hockey League (AHL)? It’s two offsetting minors. A penalty for the opponent, another for Simon Edvinsson who dispatched said opponent in an appropriate manner. 

It's abundantly clear that their opponent knows Cossa is fair game. The referees see the bumps and checks Cossa receive. Inform Cossa they see them, but do not call anything. They tell Cossa, don't worry. If a goal is scored on you, we'll call it back for interference. Interesting, interference is no longer a penalty to be called.

In some ways, I pitty the opponent. How insecure do they have to be to stoop so low? Is your game that terrible where you must run goalies to stay relevant? Apparently, yes. At any rate, I really must thank them.

Any of these events could have rattled Cossa, but as he’s demonstrated from the past season and a half, he’s matured. Mentally, physically, and emotionally Cossa is regaining his composure incredibly well and quickly. These challenges are making him that much stronger for his next start.

Throughout game 3, Cossa gave his team a chance to win.

In addition to his fun saves, Cossa’s puck tracking/vision was on full display throughout the game. He made plays behind his net to keep pucks moving and help his defensemen out. 

To me, Cossa still resembles a hybrid of Alex Nedeljkovic and Alex Lyon in a sense that they see themselves as part of the team. It’s a stark contrast to goalies who separate themselves from the team (staying in their net, playing more of a safe/reactive game as opposed to a proactive game).

As this series progresses, I anticipate Cossa’s game will only elevate from here, especially now that he knows he gets to protect himself against some goons. I would pick a few other players before I selected Cossa to bully. But, what do I know?

One thing that I know, The Beast is about to let loose.

Josiah Didier

I didn’t have Josiah Didier as a hero on my bingo card for game 3, yet he personally handed me the marker to stamp it.

Throughout the regular season, Didier struggled at times with killing plays, getting pucks out of the zone, and controlling his emotions. Like many other veterans on the team, he would take penalties at the most inopportune times.

As the season progressed, these aspects of his game improved, however, I found it telling he wasn’t considered a top-9 defenseman through the first two games of the series. I wondered how the captain of the Grand Rapids Griffins would handle this situation. 

When called upon, Didier played a mean, reliable game. 

Unlike Cossa’s literal backside tonight (a goal literally bounced off him and in, stuff happens), Didier’s aided the Grand Rapids Griffins with a huge block to maintain their lead. It was a rare occasion where Cossa hadn’t tracked the puck as well, and would’ve been caught out of position. The captain said, not today!

Also, he brought a spark that his team sorely lacked in the previous game. Big hits can change the momentum of the game, wake teammates up from a nap on the bench, and inspire somber fans.

Didier delivered punishing hits, dishing physicality whenever possible:

Coasting vets seemingly dragged into fights and young players understanding that they don’t have to take bullying from their opponents are vital pieces to any chance of success in this playoff series. 

Going forward, I expect nothing less from the captain.

It should be an interesting game 4 Sunday. We’ll see who steps up when the stakes raise to a new level.

On a side note, rest in peace to the sacrificial pig. May the piggy run forever free over the rainbow bridge.