Marco Kasper 5-Point Weekend Sparks Griffins to Two Wins

Marco Kasper produced the kind of weekend performance the Detroit Red Wings hoped they would see from him when they drafted him No. 8 in the 2022 NHL draft.

The day after scoring an overtime goal to give the Grand Rapids Griffins a win, Kasper scored twice and assisted on the game-winner in a come-from-behind behind 4-3 win against the Manitoba. This was his second three-point game of the season, and fifth multi-point game, for the young Austrian forward.

The Red Wings know Kasper has a hard-nosed style that will get him in the NHL, but are hoping they will see him building his offensive game in his time in Grand Rapids. Kasper played one game last season in Detroit.

The Griffins scored four third-period goals after falling behind 3-0 in the game. Austin Czarnik and Zach Aston-Reese also scored for the Griffins in this road game. On Friday, the Griffins erased a 4-1 deficit to win in OT. Grand Rapids (16-15-4-1) are in third place in the AHL’s Central Division. That’s a playoff position. The Red Wings want to see the Griffins in the playoffs to give their prospects that experience.

Simon Edvinsson assisted on the first Kasper goal. Edvinsson now has 21 points in 34 games.

The Griffins scored four unanswered goals in the third period for their second straight come-from-behind victory in a 4-3 win over the Manitoba Moose at the Canada Life Centre.

📰: https://t.co/TFXt64I9qA pic.twitter.com/1mFfp06XdL

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) January 21, 2024

Defenseman Antti Tuomisto also added two assists in the win to give him three points on the weekend. After missing the start of the season with an injury, he has seven points in 16 games. He also had six points in five games for the Toledo Walleye when he was playing there as a step in his injury recovery. Although Tuomisto isn’t considered a premium prospect, he is making the Red Wings take notice.