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

What a roller coaster of a game 3 for the Grand Rapids Griffins?

From the moment the puck dropped, the team seemed to have found their rhythm. It was a welcomed sight from the previous game. 

As I suspected, the Grand Rapids Griffins' hearts took detours, but found their way back on the ice in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Friday night. Better late than never as they say (they being people, Dad).

The Grand Rapids Griffins ended the game with a commanding 42-30 shot lead over their opponent. If a game was determined by shots, zone time, and carrying of play, the Grand Rapids Griffins would have slayed their opponent. 

Contrary to the interworkings of the game, the most dangerous lead in hockey proved its dominance yet again. Teams get comfortable, take their foot off of the gas, and conserve energy. Suddenly, the 3-1 lead evaporates like a mirage in a desert and players are left with is a case of confusion, tired legs, and exhaustion. 

Lucky for Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings fans alike, heroes brought home a win. While it was a team-spirited affair, 3 players stuckout in game 3 of the series.

Can you guess who they might be?

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).

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.