Detroit Red Wings prospect Jonatan Berggren lied to me (and you)
The Grand Rapids Griffins players have lied, stolen, and cheated in their third round of the AHL playoffs. Who is lying, stealing, and cheating?
**Since publishing this article, the American Hockey League (AHL) has changed one of Jonatan Berggren's goals to Marco Kasper, however this idea still stands. **
After watching game 4 and Jonatan Berggren’s heroics, I can’t help but think of Mushu in the Mulan.
There’s a group consisting of Mulan, her dragon guardian (Mushu voiced by Eddie Murphy), her horse, and a lucky cricket who tagged along. In the midst of a somber moment, Mulan and Mushu share their secrets.
Mushu was never sent by their ancestors and Mulan might not have joined the army to cover for her father, but to find herself. Next, the cricket admits he’s not lucky.
Mushu’s response is a classic:
“What? What do you mean you’re not lucky. You lied to me?”
The cricket cries as he nods his head.
Mushu proceeds to accuse Mulan’s horse of being a sheep (after referring to the horse as a cow throughout the movie).
Back on April 3, 2024, Berggren made a claim to us all.
While he might not have meant to lie to us, he did and here’s how it impacts the Grand Rapids Griffins (the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings).
In his post game interview he was asked about his hat trick. While he admitted it was cool, Berggren claimed that it was his “first and probably only hat trick” of his career.
Funny, just over a month later and with the stakes raised higher Berggren netted another hat trick.
In contrast to the cricket from Mulan, Berggren cited luck as the difference maker in his game.
If Berggren isn’t a true goal scorer, then he may very well be luckier than the cricket. For context, the cricket is in fact lucky throughout the entire film surviving a crazed grandmother, crazy matchmaker, war, and fireworks.
Whatever (or whoever) Berggren is, goal scorer, lucky, or just a darn good hockey player, the Detroit Red Wings organziation is lucky to have him as long as he will stay.
Of course, Berggren was the convincing first star of the game, another player came to my mind for the honor.
Sebastian Cossa is a thief
Boy, I have waited for Sebastian Cossa to steal a game all playoffs.
He’s played above-average and given his team a chance to win each outing. Even the 4 goals against Wednesday, although a high number to surrender, the skaters in front of him were as much to blame as he was so it makes things difficult in assessing Cossa.
Giving your team a chance to win and stealing a game are 2 different things.
Friday night, Cossa outright stole the puck, then the game. His stops were impeccable, and he didn’t give up no matter how many rebounds or chances the opponent had.
My favorite thing about Cossa’s game, though, him sticking up for his brothers. This clip is my personal favorite, as Albert Johansson can always use an extra hand (or over-sized glove):
HUGE SAVE SEBASTIAN COSSA!!! Followed up with spicy Sebastian! #GoGRG #LGRW #CalderCup pic.twitter.com/pdXAvI09UJ
— X - Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) May 25, 2024
In his post game interview, Cossa admitted it’s difficult to see his brothers getting hit on the ice and not stepping in to help. However, he cautioned that he should stop getting involved in the extra curricular activities.
Truly, I appreciate the mindset and can agree to a certain extent. At the same time, the comradery is as important as staying out of the penalty box.
I’m not talking about the lazy, lost control of emotions, or frustrations boiling over because a play didn’t go their way. Those penalties, I can absolutely do without.
Coming to aide a teammate who is getting jumped or put in a headlock? It’s always okay to step up in my book. That’s not to say try to take a penalty, but attempting to diffuse or support a teammate should continue to be something Cossa does as he’s great when he joins the greeting card exchange.
Grand Rapids Griffins were cheated out of their summer vacation
The Grand Rapids Griffins seemed to possibly have their sights set on a nice golfing trip, getting back home to their families, or just mailing it in, but they changed their tune halfway through the third.
Right on cue, the players must have heard Larry Figurski (TV/Radio Broadcaster of the Grand Rapids Griffins) between the benches who mentioned they needed to score on the power play.
Earning a 4-minute power play due to a high stick to Simon Edvinsson’s pretty face (the player must have really gotten his stick in the stratosphere to reach Edvinsson’s head). The Grand Rapids went to work scoring 2 on the ensuing power play and fulfilling Figurski’s rational, understandable demands.
Rather than going home to pack for vacation, Berggren, Cossa, and company made sure that another bus ride was in the cards.
I look forward to the upcoming winner take all game tomorrow (Sunday, May 26) with the pregame show starting at 5:45 p.m. ET and puck drop at 6 p.m. (supposedly). If you can make the drive to Milwaukee, it should be a heck of a time. Otherwise, you can find the game on AHLtv.com or free on the radio (usually 96.1 or 106.9 on iHeart.com).
Next. May 25. Bad news for Detroit Red Wings prospect, Jonatan Berggren. dark
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