From Michigan Hockey’s Michael Caples:

Though the Detroit Red Wings’ season ended earlier than it had hoped, it’s not stopping the team from making an impact off the ice.

The Red Wings teamed up with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation to unveil a 1,700-square foot Red Wings Play Zone on Wednesday. Al Sobotka and Jimmy Howard were present to help with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and introduce children to their new toys.

“Being a parent myself, I couldn’t imagine being one of these parents going through this, so to be able to come down here and help celebrate this new play structure thanks to our fans and our great organization, it’s a huge honor for me,” Howard said.

“For these kids, they go through so much and they’re so strong. For them to come out here and have a little bit of normalcy and just be kids, it’s huge for them.”

Caples continues, and he posted a photo gallery from the event, as did the Detroit News; WDIV Local 4 posted a video report (non-embeddable).

Updated 7x at 1:57 AM with recaps and video: Of note from the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 6-3 loss to the Manitoba Moose, or the post-game media availability thereof:

Dennis Cholowski was his thoughtful, studious self after the game, but Cholowski was also ready and able to admit that the difference between the WHL playoffs and the AHL playoffs was not that big of a battle this time, and he felt that he played well–which he did:

When a European player has a difficult game, his English gets, to use Pavel Datsyuk’s term, “short,” and Filip Hronek got in a fight, got a ten-minute misconduct, and got a talking-to from captain Matt Ford while sitting in the penalty box for another infraction, so Hronek was suddenly quite short on English language comprehension. The truth of the matter is that the Moose successfully targeted a player that, as Griffins coach Todd Nelson suggested, does instigate from time to time, and Hronek was not happy about it:

Ben Street was all specifics, on the other hand, in an easy two-minute interview, addressing the dislike the teams have for each other, the fact that the Griffins did not generate enough offensive chances, and he spoke about the need to bring it from roster stem to Toledo Walleye-employed stern in Game 4:

Grand Rapids Griffins coach Todd Nelson was honest–he was unhappy with his team’s effort, and felt that the Griffins needed to do what Street suggested, put more pucks in goaltender Eric Comrie’s feet instead of sending single, un-screened, un-tipped and un-pursued shots into Comrie’s Manitoba Moose crest. Nelson felt that the lack of rest between games should not be an issue when elimination is on the line, and he would not tip his hand as to which goalie he would start on Thursday:

Update: This might as well be my recap hub. Here’s the Grand Rapids Press’s Peter J. Wallner’s recap:

Continue reading Griffins-Moose Game 3 post-game audio, video and recaps

The Grand Rapids Griffins attempted to jump out to an all-important 2-1 series lead in the team’s best-of-5 playoff series against the Manitoba Moose.

Grand Rapids and Manitoba were tied 1-1 going into a game in which Colin Campbell (suspension) and Axel Holmstrom (injury) would not play, further depleting the Griffins’ forwards, which were already challenged by the injuries to Matt Lorito and Dominic Turgeon.

I took in this game from the press box, and the Grand Rapids Griffins struggled their way to a 6-3 defeat that was closer than it looked, in no small part because the Griffins out-shot the Moose 48-25. Grand Rapids worked its tail off with only 11 healthy forwards and 7 defensemen, but Tom McCollum got pulled after giving up 3 goals on 11 shots, Jared Coreau was only a little bit better, and Moose goalie Eric Comrie stopped far too many shots with the logo on his chest.

Grand Rapids’ quest to defend its Calder Cup title MUST include a win over the Moose on Thursday night (7 PM on ESPN 96.1 and the AHL Live); if it doesn’t, this best-of-three series will go Manitoba’s way.

Continue reading Grand Rapids Griffins-Manitoba Moose Game 3 long take: Griffins out-shoot but don’t out-play Moose, face elimination on Thursday

If you’ve missed my prospect reports, the Free Press’s Helene St. James notes that Red Wings prospect Michael Rasmussen is kicking butt and taking names in the WHL playoffs, where Rasmussen’s Tri-City Americans are playing in the Western Conference Final:

Rasmussen, selected No. 9 overall in last year’s draft, had two goals and an assist Monday in Game 3 of the third round of the Western Hockey League playoffs. It was his eighth multipoint game in 14 playoff games, giving him 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points. Rasmussen has at least one point in every Tri-City playoff game.

The Americans ended up losing, 8-4, and trail the best-of-7 series against Everett, 2-1. Game 4 is Thursday.

Rasmussen, 19, is making a strong case to be on next year’s Red Wings squad. He had a good camp last year, and will come into this autumn’s camp on the strength of a phenomenal playoff performance and, presumably, a good summer in the gym. If Rasmussen doesn’t make the Wings, he will have to go back to juniors because he has a year left of eligibility.

At 6-foot-6, 221 pounds, Rasmussen has the ability to screen goalies and be effective down low. He’s mostly been a center, but he’s played some wing in the playoffs, and that versatility will help his audition in September.

Continued

I’m heading out to Grand Rapids this afternoon to take in Games 3 and 4 at Van Andel Arena, so:

1. What specifically would you like me to look for in terms of my observations? Dennis Cholowski is making his Griffins debut, for example. Would you like me to focus on “Cholo’s” play?

2. Is there any way that I could possibly raise some $ to cover the hotel and gas?

3. The comments section was very busy over the last day. Is everything okay?

The Grand Rapids Griffins have posted Bob Kaser’s Game Day Preview ahead of tonight’s game vs. the Manitoba Moose (7 PM EDT on ESPN 96.1 FM/The AHL Live):

 

Grand Rapids Griffins coach Todd Nelson appeared on ESPN 96.1’s Big Drew and Jim show on Tuesday, discussing tonight and Thursday’s games against the Manitoba Moose:

Listen to “Todd Nelson – Grand Rapids Griffins Head Coach (4/24/18)” on Spreaker.

This already happened this morning, but it’s worth noting, per the Red Wings:

“Red Wings Play Zone” to be unveiled at Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. featuring Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard and leadership teams from Ilitch Holdings, Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation to officially open 1,700 square foot outdoor play zone

Continue reading Red Wings opened a ‘Red Wings Play Zone’ at Children’s Hospital this morning

The Free Press’s Helene St. James interviewed assistant player developer Daniel Cleary ahead of this weekend’s NHL draft lottery, where Cleary will be sequestered behind closed doors where the lottery actually takes place.

Cleary touched upon a wide range of topics, from his position with the team to his post-career injuries:

Q: You had quite the NHL career. First-round draft pick (13th overall in 1997, Chicago), but came to Detroit in 2005 on a tryout. You turned that into nearly a 10-year stay, including three 20-goal seasons and a Stanley Cup. You finished your playing career with Grand Rapids, as a player-coach. Now you’re in player development. How have your playing days helped the transition to your new role?

A: For me, I’m a good soundboard for a lot of these guys in terms of perseverance and not giving up. I talk to our guys a lot about it. I got a tryout here, found my niche. I was so dialed in and it became a full time gig. I fully embraced the culture. I watched what Kris Draper and Nick Lidstrom and Chris Chelios and Brendan Shanahan did and thought, that’s what I have to do. We had a great run. I love Detroit, l love the Red Wings, I love being a part of it. I love this job. I want the Wings to be great again, and I am fully invested in that.

Q: Do you still play now and then?

A: No. I just had cornea transplant surgery in February. I’ve been told I shouldn’t play, because I could lose the eye with any hit. My left eye had a scratch that was bothersome for a lot of years. That was from fighting Chris Pronger in 2008. I got clipped as I was getting up. I see Pronger now and then and chuckle, wonder what I was doing. The guy is huge.

I need knee replacement surgery, two shoulder surgeries. My knee is by far the worst, but I still work out.

Continued

The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel’s Blake Sebring duly notes that Toledo Walleye goaltender Pat Nagle will be battling his former team, the Fort Wayne Komets, in the second round of the ECHL playoffs:

Pat Nagle will approach this playoff series just like he approaches everything, calm, prepared and ready. His outlook will be just like it was in October when he became the Toledo Walleye’s No. 1 goaltender after playing three seasons in Fort Wayne.

“Obviously, it’s a change of pace with new scenery this year,” Nagle said. “Anytime you are getting a fresh start somewhere, it’s always good for you to come in and be humble and do your work at the rink and try to get some victories on the weekend.”

In other words, he won’t get too excited about the Komets and Walleye rivalry. That’s simply not how he lives. He always tries to remain stable while everything else may be falling apart around him, slowing things down to give his teammates confidence.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “Obviously, I think this rivalry has always been a fun one. I would say it’s two of the top teams in the league every single year, with great fanbases, great rinks to play in and the atmosphere in both of them is awesome. It’s almost unfortunate that we have to play each other so soon, but that’s just the way the seedings are.”

Continued

Update: Here’s more on the alumni match-up from the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe:

Nagle, who is 4-0 in the Kelly Cup playoffs with a 1.79 goals-against average, will be between the pipes against his former teammates in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series on Saturday at the Huntington Center.

Embach, who played with Nagle in Fort Wayne the last three seasons, said he is looking forward to squaring off against so many familiar faces.

“You always want to beat your buddies in everything, right? You want to have the bragging rights,” Embach said. “So I will do anything and everything I can to make sure I’m the one smiling when we go through that handshake line at the end of the series.”

The Central Division rivals are meeting for the third time in the last four postseasons, and the teams have been on a crash course to another playoff meeting throughout the year.

Division champion Toledo (105 points) and the second-place Komets (98) pulled away from third-place Cincinnati (81) and fourth-place Indy (78), then in the first round of the playoffs the Walleye swept the Fuel and the Komets needed only five games to get by the Cyclones.

In 2015 and 2017, the Walleye eliminated Fort Wayne at the same point in the playoffs, winning the division finals and advancing to the conference finals. Nagle and Embach were both on the losing end in each of those series.

Monroe continues…

Update: Also, from Toledo’s 13 ABC’s Andi Roman:

Schedule for Best of Seven Series (All Times Eastern)
• Saturday, April 28 vs. Fort Wayne at 7:35 p.m. (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Radio 1230, BCSN)
• Sunday, April 29 vs. Fort Wayne at 5:15 p.m. (5 p.m., Fox Sports Radio 1230, BCSN)
• Wednesday, May 2 at Fort Wayne at 7:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Radio 1230, BCSN)
• Friday, May 4 at Fort Wayne at 8:00 p.m. (8 p.m., Fox Sports Radio 1230, BCSN)
• Saturday, May 7 vs. Fort Wayne at 7:35 p.m. (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Radio 1230, BCSN) *If Necessary
• Tuesday, May 8 at Fort Wayne at 7:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Radio 1230, BCSN) *If Necessary
• Wednesday, May 9 vs. Fort Wayne at 7:35 p.m. (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Radio 1230, BCSN) *If Necessary

CONFERENCE FINALS: Best-of-Seven Series | May 11 to May 23
KELLY CUP FINALS: Best-of-Seven Series | May 25 to June 6

2017-18 Regular Season Meetings vs. Fort Wayne
(Toledo record 2-5-1, 2-2-0 at Home, 0-3-1 at Fort Wayne)
• October 14, 2017 – Walleye lose 4-2 at Fort Wayne
• November 16, 2017 – Walleye win 6-3 in Toledo
• November 23, 2017 – Walleye lose 5-4 at Fort Wayne
• December 1, 2017 – Walleye 3-2 in a shootout at Fort Wayne
• December 6, 2017 – Walleye lose 5-2 in Toledo
• December 31, 2017 – Walleye lose 3-0 at Fort Wayne
• January 12, 2018 – Walleye win 3-1 in Toledo
• April 6, 2018 – Walleye lose 5-2 in Toledo

Walleye Notes
• Brooms out against Indy: In a series that was close (three games decided by a goal) the Walleye took care of Indy in short order, posting the first-ever sweep in Toledo Walleye history. The last time a Toledo team swept a team out the playoffs was in the 2006 Kelly Cup Playoffs when the then Toledo Storm defeated the Johnstown Chiefs three games to none in a best of five series.

• Winning series: With its win over Indy, Toledo has won at least a round in the playoffs in three of the last four years. In 2015, Toledo advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and last year reaching the Western Conference Finals. Since the start of the 2015 playoffs, Toledo has a playoff record of 27-22.

• Leading the way: Both Kyle Bonis (3G, 5A) and Tyler Barnes (1G, 7A) are tied for the league lead with eight points each. The seven assists for Barnes is the most for any player so far in the playoffs. Christian Hilbrich is tied for the league with five goals in the playoffs. Both Austen Brassard (2G, 2A) and Simon Denis (1G, 3A) each posted four points in the series win over Indy. Goaltender Pat Nagle allowed just nine goals in four games vs. Indy for a 1.79 goals against average and a .942 save percentage.

• Welcome in a Close Friend/Foe: The closest rivals in the ECHL (106 miles from Huntington Center to Memorial Coliseum) meet for the third time in the last four years during the postseason. Toledo took the previous meetings first during the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs in seven games to advance to the then Eastern Conference Finals and then in five games last year to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

• Stats during the Year: Toledo finished the regular season with a record of 2-5-1 (2-2-0 at the Huntington Center and 0-3-1 at Fort Wayne), and were outscored 29-21 in the season series. The total shots were fairly even with Toledo having 236 on Fort Wayne and the Komets with 243 on Toledo. The Walleye power play was 4-31 (12.9%) against Fort Wayne during the regular season while Toledo’s penalty kill stopped 16 of 17 power plays (94.1%). The two teams finished as the top two in attendance during the regular season (Fort Wayne 7,784 and Toledo 7,600).