The Red Wings are still in the process of developing their young draft picks into NHL players. Two of those prospects made their way over to North America following the conclusion of their season in Sweden.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard played their first games with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins on April 18th, 2025 vs the Rockford IceHogs. The two of them were teammates this season in Skelleftea of the SHL this season. Axel Sandin-Pellikka plays defense and wore number 39 for the Griffins. Brandsegg-Nygard plays wing and wore number 64.
1st Period
1:02 - Sandin-Pellikka manned the first power-play unit for the Griffins, which got their first opportunity just one minute into the game. Brandsegg-Nygard would also get his first opportunity on the second power-play unit. The right-hander likes to shoot the puck from OVI’s office on the left flank. No goals, but they both looked comfortable in their first opportunities with the man advantage.
7:53 - In the first period, Sandin-Pellikka had an active stick with tight gaps. He played mostly in the offensive zone, cutting off Rockford's attempt to set anything up in the neutral zone. He finished the first period with three shots on net, five attempts, a steal, and set up two scoring opportunities on the power play.
8:12 - The Griffins took a roughing penalty from Sheldon Dries and a weak slashing call against Autsin Watson put the Griffins on a 5-on-3 penalty kill. Sebastian Cossa looked great on the kill making a few saves. He is covering a lot more of the net now and looked great on the 5-on-3 penalty kill.
14:25 - Brandsegg-Nygard took a holding penalty on the forecheck on an Icehogs defenseman who went down rather easily but it was negated by an IceHogs penalty just seconds into the power play.
The first period ended scoreless. Both teams went 0-3 on their power play opportunities.
2nd Period
0:15 - Snively took another penalty 15 seconds into the 2nd period and The Griffins started the period on the penalty-kill again.
4:50 – IceHogs Goal 0-1 – Sandin-Pellikka’s D partner attempted to join the rush, but the puck was turned over in the neutral zone leaving him alone defending a 2-on-1 rush. Rockford played it well with a couple of passes and Gavin Hayes slid it onto the open net.
9:07 – IceHogs Goal 0-2 – Rockford’s Sanford made a nice move around the stick of Griffins defenseman Knyzhov and made a drive to the net. He lost control of the puck in the slot. It seemed harmless as the puck found the stick of Toumisto, who swatted the puck towards the corner, but it hit the IceHogs forward and bounced into the net behind Cossa.
12:21 - Scary moment when Sebastian Cossa was bulled over by IceHogs captain Brett Seney. Head contact with the knee of Seney. Contact occurred just outside of the blue paint. Cossa stayed down for a few seconds and was checked out by the trainer. He was okay to continue in the game. The Icehogs Brett Seney was assessed a goaltender interference penalty and the Griffins would get their fourth power play opportunity.
14:21 - An undisciplined double-minor penalty to Dominic Shine put the Griffins on a lengthy four-minute penalty kill with 5:39 remaining in the 2nd period. Shine took exception to a clean hit delivered inside the offensive blue line by IceHogs defenseman Fitzgerald, was called for a retaliatory cross-check, then attacked Fitzgerald on the way to the penalty box drawing an additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Griffins killed off the penalty and looked to score with time winding down in the 2nd period.
19:35 - Sneaky deep-slot try by Pellikka, creating two opportunities with one move. A play towards the net could go in or create a rebound opportunity, at the same time he shakes his check like a fighter jet in a dogfight, leaves himself wide-open with time and space alone at the point. It didn’t result in a point this time, but you can see the potential with this idea. He’s going to be a great set-up man on the power play, but I actually think he’s even better 5-on-5; directing traffic with a purpose and getting lost/open as a result; reappearing in the right place at the right time to make some kind of impact play to keep the play alive.
20:00 - The second period ended with a whole slew of penalties during an altercation after the horn. Austin Watson kicked it off with a takedown of Sanford near the IceHogs crease. Dominic Shine took his man down near the circle as well. Sheldon Dries went after IceHogs goaltender, Drew Comesso. Players from both teams left the bench to engage in the fight. The altercation would leave two Griffins defensemen, Shai Buium and Anton Johansson ejected for leaving the bench to engage in a fight. Dominic Shine and Austin Watson each got 10 min misconducts to start the third period.
3rd Period
3:23 - Due to the penalty to Austin Wason, Brandsegg-Nygard moves onto a line with Nate Danielson.
7:53 – IceHogs Goal 0-3 - Rockford pots their 3rd goal of the game on a rebound opportunity. Cossa had two bodies right in front of him and couldn’t see where the rebound went. Could have been called goaltender interference. There was definite contact with Cossa in the moments leading to the goal. A Rockford player picked it up and slid it into the open net. 3-0 Icehogs.
11:34 - Bransegg-Nygard and Nate Danielson connected for a couple of offensive chances on consecutive shifts then a third where they regained possession but decided to go for a disciplined change instead of going on offense. These two look they could be a pair moving forward with the rest of the Griffins regular season and into the playoffs.
12:31 - Griffins get their 5th power play opportunity of the game with 7:47 remaining in the game. Amadeus Lombardi won the draw, play moves up to the blue line when Sandin-Pellikka finds Lombardi open at the top of the left face-off circle. Lombardi shoots the puck into the top-left corner of the net over the blocker of the Icehogs goaltender, Comesso, for the Griffins goal, his 19th of the season. Axel Sandin-Pellikka gets his first point in his first game on the power play on a pass across the blue line to Amadeus Lombardi for the goal.
17:42 - The IceHogs add one into the empty net for a 4-1 final score.
Final takeaways
Axel Sandin-Pellika and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard are here and will help the Griffins into their playoff run this season. Sandin-Pellikka offensively is ultra-dynamic. He has great skills with the puck, faking out defenders and finding open ice for himself or passing to open teammates.
Defensively is good 5-on-5 as well. He has a way of triaging; prioritizing threats and going to where he is needed most, then has the ability to leave his check when appropriate to engage a more dangerous threat. I can’t wait to see more of his play with the Griffins this season.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is OVI-esk to me. He has power and speed in his skating and shot as well but is also good defensively. Imagine an Ovechkin who puts as much effort into defense as he does into offense.
He only played three shifts with Danielson, while Austin Watson was serving his 10-minute misconduct penalty, but they seemed to have some chemistry. They connected for a couple of good scoring opportunities and took control of the play from the IceHogs on their third shift. If they had gotten more shifts together maybe they could have gotten a point or two.
Sebastian Cossa looked a lot better in this game. He was tracking pucks better, getting square to the shooters a bit quicker, and using his large frame to cover more of the net.
If you want to see Sandin-Pellikka and Brandsegg-Nygard play this season, Game 1 of the AHL Central Division Semi-Final is Tuesday April 29th vs. the Texas Stars at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. It can also be found online at www.flohockey.tv, or the FloSports App.