In Red Wings Land

ONTARIO REIGN 5 AT GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 – Grand Rapids Griffins

The Griffins bagged their own power play goal with 15:04 remaining. Jonatan Berggren connected with Veleno at the right wing. Veleno managed to send the rubber past the glove of netminder Matthew Villalta, stopping Grand Rapids’ four-game scoring drought on the power play.

Even the good news is bad from this one, lol.

Around the League

Bettman threatens to move draft, but goes easy on Rocky Wirtz – Sportsnet

“We will continue as we do with all our clubs to hold them accountable, to do the work and make sure they’re doing the right things,” Bettman said. “We would like all of our interactions among players, executives, coaches, managers, fans, the media — we’d like them all to be friendly, cordial, professional. And overwhelmingly they are.

“But this one was a moment.”

Bettman had a moment, too.

One in which he could’ve characterized Wirtz’s “outburst” for what it really was: another ugly blotch on a sport that keeps preaching acceptance and openness yet gives us reasons to wonder if it’ll ever stop protecting the old guard.

There are a few reporters who just let Gary spew this tone deaf horseshit without any hint of context or appreciation for how damaging it all is and I’m glad this one wasn’t among them.