Grand Rapids Griffins rookie goaltender Sebastian Cossa earned his first AHL victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday. Cossa made 21 saves on 23 shots for the 3-2 win. Cossa was also awarded the first star of the game for his efforts. On Thursday, the Griffins re-assigned Cossa to Toledo (ECHL) so he could be in the opening night lineup for the Walleye on Saturday. Cossa won both of his starts for Toledo on the weekend.
The Griffins split the weekend series with the Toronto Marlies. On Saturday, the Marlies dominated the Griffins during the 4-1 win. The Marlies outshot the Griffins 32-17. Cross Hanas scored the loan Griffins goal. On Sunday, the Griffins defeated the Marlies 5-2. Donovan Sebrango scored his first goal of the season for the Griffins. Dominic Shine, Matt Luff, Kyle Criscuolo, and Cross Hanas into an empty net also scored for Grand Rapids. Toronto outshot the Griffins 36-26 during Sunday’s game.
The Griffins now have a record of 3-2-0 to start the season.
Player Preview: Cross Hanas
Cross Hanas continued his strong play during his second week in professional hockey. The Griffins winger played all three games last week, scoring two goals. In five games to start his professional career, Hanas has scored three goals, one assist, four points, a -2 rating, and ten shots on goal.
Hanas was originally drafted 55th overall by Detroit in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Detroit Red Wings Prospects Update
Austin Czarnik continues to lead the Griffins in scoring. Czarnik has four goals, three assists, seven points, and a +1 rating in five games.
Simon Edvinsson played two-weekend games in Toronto for the Griffins. Edvinsson was held off the scoresheet and remains at one goal, three assists, four points, and an even +/- rating through four games.
Matt Luff scored one goal and picked up three assists in the three games last week. Luff was also selected as the game’s first star on Sunday in Toronto. In five games to start the season, Luff has three goals, four assists, seven points, and a +3 rating. Luff also leads the Griffins with 16 shots on goal.
Jared McIsaac was held off the scoresheet during all three games last week. McIsaac leads the Griffins with a +6 rating through five games.
Taro Hirose scored one goal and picked up three assists during three games last week. Hirose now has one goal, five assists, six points, and a +1 rating through five games.
Steven Kampfer picked up one assist in three games played last week. Kampfer now has three assists and a +1 rating in five games for the Griffins.
Kyle Criscuolo picked up one goal and one assist in three games last week. Criscuolo now has two points in five games to start the season.
Donovan Sebrango played his first two games of the season in Toronto. Sebrango scored the first Griffins goal on Sunday. It was his second career goal in 98 games with the Griffins.
Victor Brattstrom started Sunday’s game but was removed at 9:22 into the first period. Brattstrom left the game with an apparent injury.
Jussi Olkinuora made 26 saves on 28 shots to record the win on Sunday. Olkinuora now has a record of 1-2-0, a 3.89 GAA, and a .874 SV% through three games.
Next Week
Grand Rapids play two road games against the Texas Stars this week. The games will be played on back-to-back nights on Saturday and Sunday. Game time on Saturday is 8:00 PM ET, and the Sunday game has a start time of 6:00 PM ET. Both games will be played at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Cedar Park, TX.
