The Grand Rapids Griffins pulled off a comeback win in game one of the Calder Cup Playoffs Saturday night. Down 2-0 in the third period, Dominik Shine got the scoring started for Grand Rapids and Red Wings prospect Amadeus Lombardi would net the game-tying goal to send it to OT:
Late in overtime, Jonatan Berggren was the hero with a flukey goal — somehow slipping it past Rockford’s goalie after muscling through his defender:
Big game for Berggren, Lombardi, and Sebastian Cossa, who picked up his first career Calder Cup Playoff win. Game two is set for Wednesday in Grand Rapids — and it’s going to be an electric atmosphere at Van Andel Arena, I can tell you that!
Full Highlights
Game notes from the Griffins
– The Griffins’ last Game 1 to go to overtime was their playoff opener versus Milwaukee in 2017. Grand Rapids’ 4-3 home triumph was the first of 15 victories earned en route to its second Calder Cup.
– The last time the Griffins and IceHogs battled in overtime at the BMO Center in the Calder Cup Playoffs was also a win (2-1) for Grand Rapids, courtesy of rookie Tyler Bertuzzi in Game 4 of the 2015 Western Conference Semifinals.
– Cossa became just the fifth rookie goalie to start a playoff game for Grand Rapids, joining Jared Coreau (2015), Petr Mrazek (2013), Jimmy Howard (2006) and Mathieu Chouinard (2001).
– Taro Hirose and Spezia made their first playoff appearances with Grand Rapids after having logged 248 and 240 regular-season games, respectively, with the franchise.
– All time, the Griffins have triumphed in four of seven best-of-five playoff series after winning Game 1.
