Axel Sandin Pellikka Shows What Fuss is All About

While the Axel Sandin Pellikka AHL debut didn’t help the Grand Rapids Griffins produce a much-needed win, he did show why the Detroit Red Wings believe he can be an impact performer at the NHL level.

The Rockford IceHogs upended the Griffins 4-1 and Sandin Pellikka assisted on his team’s only goal. He also led Grand Rapids with four shots on goal. On the negative side, he was on the ice for two of the IceHogs’ tallies.

The Griffins’ goal came on the power play in the third period with Sandin Pellikka sending a pass across to Amadeus Lombardi. He fired a shot home from above the left wing circle for his 19th goal of the season. Hockeytown West Podcast noted on X that the GR power play looked “totally different” with ASP on the point.

The theme of most of the social media feeds about Sandin Pellikka in his first North American professional game is that he played “as advertised.”

ASP Will Get Red Wings Shot

The expectation is that Sandin Pellikka will play for the Detroit Red Wings at some point next season.

Rockford’s win didn’t hurt the Griffins as much as it could have because the Chicago Wolves, competing with Grand Rapids for third place in the Central Division, also lost (to Milwaukee, 5-0). The third place finisher earns the last first-round postseason bye in the division. The loser of the Grand Rapids-Chicago race will have to play the IceHogs in a best-of-three preliminary round series. The Griffins were 7-5 against Rockford this season.

Both Grand Rapids and Chicago have one game remaining. The Griffins’ need one point today in their game road game against Iowa or Chicago needs to lose against Rockford for GR to earn the bye.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, ASP’s teammate in Sweden, also made his AHL debut had two shots on goal. Those two Detroit first-round picks totaled 27.2% (six of 22) of Grand Rapids’ shots. Brandsegg-Nygard’s plus-minus was even. If or when GR is eliminated from the playoffs, Brandsegg-Nygard will join the Norwegian team at the World Championships.