Red Wings Prospects Have Productive Weekend

Red Wings prospects made their presence known over the weekend,  despite the Grand Rapids Griffins getting swept on the road.

The Griffins lost a pair of games to the Colorado Eagles, 6-3 on Friday and 2-1 Saturday.

In Friday’s game, William Wallinder (drafted in the second round in 2020) and Marco Kasper  (first round, 2022) scored their first AHL goals, both in the second period. Michael Hutchinson, in Grand Rapids on a pro tryout, stopped 35 shots in goal.

In Saturday’s contest, Sebastian Cossa (first round, 2021) stopped 31 shots, while Cross Hanas (second round, 2020) scored his first goal of the season. It was the first time this season the Griffins allowed fewer than 40 shots on goal.

❌❌❌ https://t.co/AUVu84HwJ2 pic.twitter.com/6NsIYpaygn

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) October 22, 2023

The Griffins played the Eagles twice at home last weekend to start the season and finished the season series with the sweep at Colorado.

While the players were off Sunday, Griffins announcer Bob Kaser was back at work, filling in for Red Wings announcer Ken Kal for the team’s game with Calgary. Kal underwent surgery after returning from Ottawa on Saturday. He is expected to be out for a week or more.

Thank you to all who wished me well and sent prayers. It truly is appreciated. I was in quite a bit of pain yesterday calling the game. Had a procedure done as soon as we got back from Ottawa. All went well. Will be on IR for at least a week. Enjoy @bkaser1 call.

— Ken Kal (@KenKalDRW) October 22, 2023

A Return Stint

Kaser is in his 24th season calling games for the Griffins. He also has served as a Griffins vice president and president of the team’s youth foundation.

He last filled in for Kal in the 2016-17 season. That season, he did 13 radio broadcasts and one TV broadcast for the Red Wings.

In addition to Sunday’s broadcast, Kaser will call Red Wings home games against Seattle on Tuesday and Winnipeg Thursday and a road game at Boston on Saturday. Kal could return as soon as Oct. 30, when the Red Wings are on the road against the New York Islanders.

The Griffins, 2-2 on the season, return to the ice on Friday with a home game against Cleveland.