"“Earning handshakes [is] the hardest thing to do in any sport when you try to finish a team off…""Griffins Head Coach Dan Watson
This message was a response to Detroit Red Wings media personality, Art Regner's question to the Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Dan Watson during the post game interview session on May 3.
As the Detroit Red Wings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, prepare for their next matchup this postseason, emotions and thoughts run rampant.
This organization’s fanbase is starving for playoff success. There were so many heartbreaking moments we’ve gone through in this rebuild. From dropping in the draft lottery to falling just shy of making the playoffs and everywhere in between, we are clinging on to anything that brings a bit of light to the world.
The Grand Rapids Griffins have channelled their inner Helios, dragging the Sun across the sky. Dawning on the horizon is hope. Hope for the current state, winning this upcoming game. Hope for the near-future, winning a Calder Cup. Hope for the not-so-distant future, helping to form a new dynasty.
While some players have already won various championships, including a Calder Cup, this season brings endless challenges. Referees who no longer believe goaltender interference is a penalty. Angry opponents who can slash, hack, and cross-check to their heart’s content. Learning the ways to start the game on time, so there’s no need to play catch-up are just a few things that come to mind.
As the Grand Rapids Griffins prepare for game 4 of this series, players and staff are ready to move to the next round of the playoffs, here’s why.
Also, as I write these Grand Rapids Griffins playoff race articles, I’ve created and am adding to a YouTube playlist as it goes along (please note there is swearing in some songs).
So far, I’ve added Sebastian Cossa’s theme song, “Bow Down” by I Prevail. In all honesty, it could apply to any Grand Rapids Griffins player as the team as a whole seems to be underrated.
Returning to I Prevail for the second song in this list, I’ve included “Come and Get It.” It was part of the hope I had for game 3 after a troublesome game 2 performance from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The newest edition to this lineup is a song that I feel is most appropriate for this game 4 matchup. My mom introduced me to this song on one of our long road trips, and I’m not sure that there’s a better song given the stakes of this game.
Here are some lyrics from the song:
"Growin’ up, you don’t see the writing on the wallJohn Parr–”St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motio
Passin’ by, movin’ straight ahead, you knew it all
But maybe sometime if you feel the pain
You’ll find you’re all alone, everything has changed
Play the game, you know you can’t quit until it’s won
Soldier on, only you can do what must be done
You know in some way you’re a lot like me
You’re just a prisoner and you’re tryin’ to break free…
Burning up, don’t know just how far that I can go
Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road
I can make it, I know, I can
You broke the boy in me but you won’t break the man…
Just once in his life a man has his time
And my time is now, I’m coming alive
I can hear the music playin’, I can see the banners fly
Feel like you’re back again, and hope ridin’ high…
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need’s this pair of wheels
Take me where my future’s lyin’, St. Elmo’s fire…
I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo’s fire burnin’ in me""
The Grand Rapids Griffins can make it, I know they can.
When they play as a team, as a six-man unit (I include Cossa in said unit, as he’s not just a goaltender, he’s as active as anyone in the defensive zone and even makes tape-to-tape breakout passes), they’re an unstoppable force.
Chemistry for the team is off the charts because of the trust and respect they’ve built together throughout the season. Whether they’ve played all season for the Grand Rapids Griffins or are new to the organization, everyone gives their all for each other when the team is at their best.
As an example, I think back to the overtime winner in game 1 where Austin Czarnik was getting worked over near center ice. The camera, of course, was focused on the celebration pile. When it panned back to Czarnik, who was there sticking up for his teammate?
Cossa. He wasn’t in search of the legendary goalie fight or concerned with celebrating the huge win. Instead, Cossa wanted to make sure that Czarnik was okay.
Similarly, when Cossa was run over and hit with a forearm in the head, knocking his helmet off of his head, Simon Edvinsson was there. He calmly removed the player from Cossa and lowered him to the ice. Although Edvinsson was called for a penalty, both Watson and I deemed him innocent of wrongdoing:
""At some point in time, we’ve got to have the ability to protect our goaltender…glad guys stuck up for our goaltender that’s number 1, so good for Simon for doing that.”"Watson in his post game interview
It’s paramount that the Grand Rapids Griffins players stand up for each other, to continue playing as a team like they have throughout most games this season. They have the talent, inner-drive, and compete. These aspects are secondary to the camaraderie that's building.
From where I’m sitting, I see St. Elmo’s fire burning, which will take the Grand Rapids Griffins to where their future’s lyin’. It's anywhere they choose to soar.