Smith and the Streaking Grffins

by JeffHancock41 on Mar 23, 2011 1:47 PM CDT in Grand Rapids Griffins

Don't look now, but the Griffins are on a roll.

The kids in Grand Rapids have won 9 of their last 11 games (9-1-1-0) and moved into 3rd place in the North Division. If you're not up-to-date on your AHL rules, that means they're sitting in the final guaranteed playoff spot of their division. They're only 2 points behind Manitoba for 2nd place and 4 points behind Lake Erie for 1st.

The Griffs have three big games this week as they continue their playoff push. They'll square off at Van Andel Arena tonight against the Toronto Marlies and they will head to Texas to take on the Stars Friday and Saturday.

More Griffins love and, of course, a Brendan Smith update after the jump.

Impressive numbers from goaltender Jordan Pearce lately. He's started the last 17 games for Grand Rapids going 12-2-1-3 with a 2.66 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Only one shutout during that time, but the kid deserves a lot of credit for the Griffins latest run.

Everyone's second favorite Filppula as been putting up some nice stats this season. Ilari is currently 9th in AHL scoring with 20 goals and 42 assists in 67 games and has a 6 game point streak. He's within striking distance of 2nd on the scoring list. He's almost at a point-per-game pace and along with Tomas Tatar (23 G, 32 A) has been the Griffins most reliable scorer this year. I know Cory Emmerton and Jan Mursak have to clear waivers next season if they don't make the Red Wings' roster, but there isn't much talk about Flip's big brother. I could see Larry Flip making a run in camp to make the 2011-12 squad. Will it happen? Who knows. It will be a big competition between Emmerton, Mursak, I. Filppula, and Tatar.

And last but not least, the moment we've all been waiting for...a Brendan Smith update.

Smith is still having a very solid rookie season. His 12 goals and 20 assists in only 57 games is good for 10th in scoring for the Griffs this season. Unfortunately, he left last Friday's game with less than 4 minutes to go in the 1st period. Reports are that it's the same knee injury that held him out 4 games in January. Griffins' coach Curt Fraser said he could be out 2-4 weeks. Hopefully he'll be back sooner rather than later. The Griffs need all the help they can get for the rest of the season and into the playoffs, if they make it. Smith will surely be one of the Black Aces during the Red Wings' playoff run when the Griffins' season is over.

Let's Go Griffins.

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Really getting excited for the battle for forward spots in next season’s training camp

by J.J. from Kansas on Mar 23, 2011 2:12 PM CDT reply actions

I'm looking forward to the defensive battle...

…Does Nick retire? Will Shitbox re-sign? Rusty? Smith makes the team?

Brendan Smith fan

by JeffHancock41 on Mar 23, 2011 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

Please, no more Shitbox

I’d rather have an actual rookie out there making rookie mistakes. I’m done with Ericsson and hope he leaves the team but stays in the division so the Wings can take advantage of him.

by Brion on Mar 23, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Hopefully Nick does not retire and Ericsson signs elsewhere... or nowhere at all

I hope rusty resigns and Kindl stays on too.. that way Smith can battle for a 7th spot and slowly work his way in like Kindl has done.

by kylegroombridge on Mar 23, 2011 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

seeing shitbox deteriorate this year

really made me sad we didnt trade him at the deadline…would be nice to get something for him instead of having him walk for nothing. i’d like to see BS make the team but dont know how many minutes he’ll get. I’m also increasingly liking the job kindl is doing. next year will be interesting all the way around

Datsyuk and Friends.

by Dubie on Mar 23, 2011 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Let's take into assumption

No Modano or Draper next season. Maybe Miller and/or Eaves depart for more reliable play time. That’s 2-4 forward spots opened… who is the WIIM crew pulling for?

by Brion on Mar 23, 2011 2:28 PM CDT reply actions

Assuming 2 spots:
Mursak
Emmerton

Assuming 4 spots:
Ilari
Tatar
Mursak
Emmerton

Winging It In Motown and now covering Hokie baseball at Gobbler Country
On The Twitter at @MrNorrisTrophy

by Casey Richey on Mar 23, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm pulling for Tatar.

It’s Tatar Time.

Brendan Smith fan

by JeffHancock41 on Mar 23, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Still think Tatar needs another year.

Maybe Modano will come back.

by J.J. from Kansas on Mar 23, 2011 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

personally, I think Mo will come back.

he’s heating up at just the right time and after the playoffs, I think he’ll be primed for another run

by kylegroombridge on Mar 23, 2011 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Mursak is kinda like “Beardless-Helm”*. Before Helm started growing the facial hair, we was a zippy, defensive-ish forward. Kinda reminds me of a small Franzen (not sure why).

*He scores on all those breakaways—when he has facial hair. Slap a little hair on the ’Sak and watch out.

by jdrx on Mar 23, 2011 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

i think he will too

think he knows he got jipped this year with the injury and won’t want to go out on a year in which he plays less than half the games

Datsyuk and Friends.

by Dubie on Mar 23, 2011 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

The plus side of waiting another year...

By then, Bertuzzi and Homer will likely be done, so the two moving up in ’11-12 will take their spots with new guys coming into freshly opened 3-4th line holes. And we may even be talking about Nyquist joining the ranks.

by Brion on Mar 23, 2011 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions

On your assumption

It’s easy to see either Modano or Draper being gone. But you have to imagine the Wings would make an effort to keep at least Eaves after his play this season. With Modano leaving you get a 2/3 line spot and Draper gives you a 3/4 line spot. Both centermen. I’d stick with 1 or 2 open spots since (when healthy) we have a surplus of forwards and the opening spot will be in the Leino Lounge/Kindle Klub.

by jdrx on Mar 23, 2011 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions