Detroit Red Wings
Like Red Wings, Griffins Could Use More Goals
Finnie scoreless, -2, played better as game progressed
When Austin Watson is scoring in back-to-back games for the Detroit Red Wings, it means he’s not scoring for the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Griffins’ 4-0 loss to the first-place Texas Stars Wednesday night is a reminder how much the Griffins miss players the Red Wings have called up this season. Watson joining Dominik Shine in Detroit means Grand Rapids is without two of their top three points producers.
When you factor in Marco Kasper, Elmer Soderblom and Carter Mazur (out for the season with an injury) also were called up during this season, it’s easy to understand why the Griffins aren’t scoring as much as they did earlier.
Grand Rapids has two goals total in the past three games, and has netted two or fewer in 14 of 22 games (63.6%).
This is just life as an AHL affiliate team.
“This is just kind of where we are at,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “We are missing some big pieces in our top six…we need to go to the net more. Need to get an opportunity to sh0ot more, find those lanes. We are just a little bit slow.”
Friendly Foe
Former Red Wings/Griffins goalie Magnus Hellberg made 24 saves to post the shutout against Grand Rapids.
The Griffins are now off a week, a chance for Watson to reconfigure his offense to deal with the added loss of Austin Watson (no relation). Austin boats 16 goals and 94 penalty minutes. He had been a physical force.
“It’s hard to lose those guys, but you have to focus on what is sitting in this lockerroom,” Dan Watson said. “And the guys have to understand the way you play with guys out of the lineup. You have to change the way you play. It’s a little bit harder style, a little bit more go to the net. You have to be willing to do it. ”
Finnie Adjustment
The Griffins received help with the arrival of Red Wings prospect Emmitt Finnie who scored 37 goals this season in the Western Hockey League. He played three games last season with the Griffins and didn’t score. In his first game this season, Finnie was minus-2 with one shot on goal.
“He’ll grow,” Watson said. “His game got better as the game went on. I’m sure there was some nerves early on. The pace was probably quicker for him.”
This week, Watson can decide whether Finnie is ready for the top six at the AHL level.
“We know what he is and what he can be,” Watson said. “We will see he fits…the good thing is we have a week to play around with our lines.”
