After a tricky hunt against the Manitoba Moose, the Grand Rapids Griffins prevailed. Thursday evening, the Griffins hosted their new hunt. This time, it’s for the Chicago Wolves, the AHL affiliate to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Here’s a quick peek at the schedule ahead:
THE CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS SCHEDULE HAS DROPPED ⬇️‼️
— y-Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) May 9, 2026
DETAILS | 🔗 https://t.co/7rdLt5Bjot pic.twitter.com/0EL8tT1wRN
All season long, the Wolves nipped at the Griffins’ heels, holding down second place in the Central Division.
The Wolves would love nothing more than to topple Grand Rapids this series as they have in the majority of previous playoff series. However, this season the Griffins/Wolves record is 6-3-0-1. It’s important to note that even with so many Griffins’ victories, most of the games were decided by a single goal with an average of 2.80 goals per game for the Grand Rapids. In short, it’s expected to be another tough fought battle with little offense to find for the Griffins.
Calder Cup second round expectations
In recent postseason series, Chicago beat the Griffins (3-2) in the 2019 Central Division Semifinals, while the Griffins won (4-1) in 2018 for the Central Division Finals.
This post season, of course, is all its own. Both teams have earned their place with the Wolves defeating the nasty Texas Stars in five games, outscoring their opponent 17-13, with a 3.40 goals per game and only allowing 2.60 goals against. Meanwhile, the Griffins defeated the Manitoba Moose in four games, outscoring their opponent 11-5, with a 2.75 goals per game and allowing 1.67 goals against.
Here are the top offensive performers in the playoffs for the Griffins so far:
Player | Position | Games Played | Goals | Assists | Total Points | Penalty Minutes | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carter Mazur | Wing | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
Erik Gustafsson | Defense | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård | Wing | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | +3 |
John Leonard | Wing | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Sheldon Dries | Forward | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
On the flipside, here are the top offensive performers for the Wolves in round one:
Player | Position | Games Played | Goals | Assists | Total Points | Penalty Minutes | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryan Suzuki | Center / Left Wing | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Bradly Nadeau | Wing | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 0 |
Juuso Välimäki | Defense | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +2 |
Viktor Neuchev | Wing | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +2 |
Josiah Slavin | Wing | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | +4 |
Last, but not least, the starting netminders:
Player | Games Played | Goals Against Average (%) | Save Percentage (SV%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Michal Postava (GR) | 4 | 1.25 | .945 |
Cayden Primeau (CHI) | 5 | 2.27 | .918 |
Both Chicago and Grand Rapids are formidable teams. It will not be easy, and both play a physical brand of hockey.
Chicago boasts a balanced approach to scoring with 19 different players registering points last series (all but one recorded a point that played). Grand Rapids has quite a balanced roster for scoring as well with 13 different players registering a point (only six Griffins not registering a point).
The Wolves may have their hands full with Postava, though, who tied a franchise record for lowest goals against with just five the entire four-game series. Postava has played at an elite level from after the all-star break on and has only seemed hungrier for wins.
For Griffins fans, there can be understandable frustration with top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa not playing. However, Red Wings fans can't be upset with so many potential goalies (or trade chips). The future in net is bright for so many reasons.
In the meantime, let's hope the Grand Rapids Griffins can write their own history.
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