Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Grand Rapids Griffins’ season comes to a close with series loss to Utica

Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

 

By @MichaelCaples –

The Grand Rapids Griffins’ season came to a close last night out in Utica, New York.

The Red Wings’ AHL affiliate endured a 2-0 loss to the Utica Comets, which eliminated them from the postseason in Game 6 of their Western Conference Finals series.

It was the third trip into June hockey for the Griffins in their AHL franchise history, as they competed under the #BringItBack mantra in hopes of returning the Calder Cup to Grand Rapids (the Griffins win the AHL title in 2013).

Here are the highlights and postgame interviews from the Griffins’ video department:

Teemu Pulkkinen finished the AHL postseason with 18 points in 16 games (14 goals and four assists). Grosse Pointe Woodsd native Andy Miele finished four points behind, recording three goals and 11 assists in the playoffs. Rookie forward Tyler Bertuzzi recorded 12 points in just 14 playoff games.

Meanwhile, Waterford native Dylan Larkin finished just off a point-per-game pace, after racking up five points in his first six AHL games. Larkin had three goals and two assists, along with six penalty minutes, all in the Utica playoff series.

Tom McCollum finished the year with a 9-6 playoff record, along with a .916 save percentage and 2.55 goals-against average, between the pipes for the Griffins.

Now, the attention turns to head coach Jeff Blashill, who is the expected hire for the Red Wings during their search for Mike Babcock’s replacement. You can read more about that situation here.

We’ll have more from Grand Rapids soon…