Round 1 playoff awards for the Grand Rapids Griffins

As the Grand Rapids Griffins wrap up the first round of their playoff run, I’d like to take a few moments to reflect.

This team started out amazing. The first 2 games opening weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was electric. It inspired fans, which was a stark contrast to seasons past. 

Our promising Grand Rapids Griffins went off to the mountains in Colorado and suffered a few setbacks. It took them awhile to regain their form. A mix of a new coaching staff, young and veteran players, and a range of players in their first years as Grand Rapids Griffins player to ones that were tenured with the team. Unforeseen challenges made winning secondary to gelling as a team.

As the team came together, while adjusting to a new captain and system, they soared higher than any previous group. Especially at home, the Grand Rapids Griffins were practically unstoppable.

Mirroring their season, the Grand Rapids Grifins started off strong. Although game 1 went to overtime, it had no business doing so. The Grand Rapids Griffins carried play throughout the game and should have won it easily, but those games will happen. 

Game 2 was a bit a of a shock as the Grand Rapids Griffins lost at home. The lackluster performance was one to forget about with 1 exception. Various reasons led to veterans swapping out of and into the Grand Rapids Griffins lineup. 

In Game 3, we saw captain Josiah Didier suit up for the first time this series. With his presence, every player’s game seemed to elevate. Carrying play throughout games 3 and 4, the Grand Rapids Griffins dispatched their opponents.

Here are a few awards to the players as selected by me and why.

Hold My Ginger Ale: Josiah Didier

As we touched on, Didier wasn’t called upon until game 3 of the series. I watched his first few shifts of game 3 with reluctance. To be a captain and sit for the first 2 games of a playoff series is challenging for the strongest of minds and spirits. 

Seemingly, Didier knew it was a matter of time to be called upon, to show his abilities in the playoffs. Now, I see why he was named captain and won a Calder Cup already.

Didier played like a man on a mission. He rocked guys, blocked shots, and broke up plays in both games all while not taking a penalty.

For a guy who had every reason to phone it in, he stood tall. I’m not sure that the Grand Rapids Griffins would have recovered at all this series, but i know that they wouldn’t have recovered from the game 2 loss so quickly without their captain.

He dragged his teammates, young and veterans alike, into the fight. Players from game 2 who skated away without staning up for themselves suddenly remembered they didn’t have to take the opponent’s silliness. Didier inspired his team, which is exactly what good leaders do.

Brownie points were earned and I’m incredibly thankful to have Didier on the team.

Underrated Player of the Series: Antti Tuomisto

In a lot of ways, Antti Tuomisto is similar to his fellow Finn in Olli Määttä in certain ways. For example, they both play reliable, two-way games. They typically play on the right side of the puck. Unless one pays close attention, the two likely go unnoticed. However, their play is invaluable to the team.

Tuomisto has grown in confidence and discipline. He kills plays routinely andbreaks the puck out of his own zone with regularity. Fundamentally, Tuomisto takes care of the little details very well.

With is ever-increasing confidence, Tuomisto is shooting the puck in new ways. Of course, we all love the wicked cannon he possesses from the blue line, but he's been working on different angles, getting his shot through traffic, and from different areas of the ice. It's neat to see his shot developing in these ways.

While not flashy, Tuomisto is an invaluable part of the Grand Rapids Griffins team and the future of the Detroit Red Wings organzition.

Mr. Clutch: Jonatan Berggren

Need I say more?

Fine, Jonatan Berggren shows again why he’s an invaluable piece of the future Detroit Red Wings team. Lucas Raymond, you might have some company at the top of the “Mr. Clutch” list.

The goals he scores aren’t lucky or one-offs. He knows exactly where to be. When he’s not afraid to let it go, he has the goods to back up his shot. It’s accurate, methodical, and effective.

Regardless of how Berggren feels about being called a goal scorer, he has a knack for finding the back of the net with regularity. I wish he would have confidence in himself, as he deserves to being a talented, hard-working player.

The offensive output is impressive, but even more impressive is Berggren’s dedication to the game. He was hacked, whacked, cross-checked, tripped, held, hooked, and everything else imaginable. I’m sure there were choice words for the referees and opponent, but Berggren handled the adversity impeccably. 

Just as Dory suggests, he just keeps swimming. Dancing across the ice, making plays and even killing plays in the defensive zone, I see Berggren’s dedication paying off for both him and his team. 

Berggren finished the first round with a team-leading 5 total points (3 goals, 2 assists), impressive for a non-goal scorer. As Andrew Rinaldi points out above, all 3 were game winning goals. In a best of 5 series, I’m not sure there’s anything more clutch.