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.

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Marco Kasper

Unsurprisingly, Marco Kasper is the MVP of this series. 

A quieter game for Kasper in game 4 didn’t takeaway from his series. To me, Kasper’s motor was on full display reminiscent of Dylan Larkin. It just doesn’t stop. 

After taking a questionable penalty in the context of the game, Kasper succeeded in his revenge. Scoring an empty net goal., sealing the Grand Rapids Griffins fate was just the icing on the proverbial cake. 

In addition to the motor, Kasper plays with an edge that drives opponents nuts. When opponents retaliate or go at Kasper hard, he just laughs. 

It reminds me of way back when former Detroit Red Wings captain, Henrik Zetterberg, left his opponent fuming to the point of the saltiest tears. The opposing young captain sat crying in the penalty box, while Zetterberg didn’t take a penalty and remained his calm, collected self. 

Of course, Kasper is not at the level of legendary Zetterberg or Larkin. He isn’t going to follow in anyone else’s footsteps, but create his own path to success. Kasper is meticulously developing. He makes his teammates lives so much easier when he’s on the ice, and is dreaded nightmare to play against. 

As the playoffs continue, I hope to see even more from Kasper. His physical play seems to be at an all-time high. Next, I hope to see his offensive side of things take a step. 

Grand Rapids Griffins head coach has made interesting line combinations, especially when it comes to Kasper. The past 2 games have seen Dominik Shine and Zach Aston-Reese as his wingers. These aren’t the choices I would make, but it’s helped the Grand Rapids Griffins move on to round 2 of the playoffs, so I can’t be too bothered. 

Kasper’s defensive game is sound, not quite as high as his physicality, but it’s almost at the same level. If he even takes a baby step in round 2 defensively, it would help his team tremendously. 

Even before taking these next steps in his development, Kasper has shown to be a force on the ice. He’s creating space and time for his linemates and providing some pops of skill of his own. His shot and playmaking skills are underrated, so he gets to use these to his advantage. 

Without him, I don’t know where the Grand Rapids Griffins would be, but I know it wouldn’t be anywhere good.

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.