How Detroit Red Wings' top prospect did in big playoff win for Griffins
How Detroit Red Wings' top prospect did in big playoff win for Griffins
Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressThu, May 7, 2026 at 9:11 AM UTC
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The Grand Rapids Griffins, the Detroit Red Wings' top farm team, are one victory from advancing to the division finals in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.
Backed by Michal Postava in goal on Wednesday, May 6, the Griffins never trailed as they took down the Manitoba Moose, 4-2, at Van Andel Arena.
Postava made 15 saves as the Griffins took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Game 4 is Friday at Van Andel Arena.
The Griffins had a 32-17 edge in shots.
Forward Jakub Rychlovsky, a 24-year-old free agent signing, gave the Griffins a 1-0 lead at 11:57 of the first period. Erik Gustafsson scored early in the second period to make it 2-0. He's the former Wings defenseman signed two years ago who wasn't able to hold onto a spot in the lineup and ended up in the minors.
Carter Mazur, a third-round pick from 2021 who appeared in eight games with the Wings late this season, added a goal with three minutes to play in the second period. Mason Shaw cut the lead to 3-1 in the final minute of the period.
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The Moose edged closer when Samuel Fegamo scored wiith 3:12 to play in the third period, but Mazur took advantage of the Moose pulling their goalie to score his second goal, with 36 seconds to go.
Grand Rapids Griffins play the Manitoba Moose in Game 3 of the AHL Central Division semifinals on May 6, 2026.
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Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (No. 15, 2024) has a goal and an assist after three games. Axel Sandin-Pellikka (No. 17, 2023) has no points after three games.
Sebastian Cossa, meanwhile, a first-round pick from 2021 (No. 15) is serving as backup. He played 39 games during the regular season to 25 by Postava, but when Cossa faltered down the stretch in the regular season, the Griffins went to Postava. He's 24 (like Cossa) and was signed to a two-year, entry-level contract by the Wings in June of 2025.
The Griffins were shut out, 1-0, in Game 1 of the series, then came back and shut out the Moose, 2-0, in Game 2.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Detroit Red Wings' top prospect did in big playoff win for Griffins
Source: “AOL Sports”
