from Tyler Kuehl of Mlive,
Playoff hockey is finally back in West Michigan.
For the first time in five years, the Grand Rapids Griffins have made it to the American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs. Thanks to a strong second half of the season, the Griffins have home-ice advantage heading into their Central Division Semifinal matchup against the Rockford IceHogs.
A LONG ROAD BACK
Prior to the 2023-24 season, the Griffins had not punched their ticket to the postseason since 2018-19. Granted, the team could not compete in the postseason in 2020 and 2021, as the AHL did not hold playoffs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
However, after back-to-back sub-.500 seasons, including a 28-win 2022-23 season, the Detroit Red Wings’ brass realized it needed to make a change to improve player development and focus on team success. Out went Ben Simon, and in came former Toledo Walleye head coach Dan Watson.
While the new voice in the room provided optimism, things did not start off well for the Griffins. By December, the team was sitting sixth in the division, and were barely hanging onto the last playoff spot in the Central by December.
continued with much more on the team...
I am excited for the Griffin players especially the prospects. This will be great experience for them.
I was not ever a Ben Simon fan, I thought his later.teams underachieved. He did not have the best crop of players but good enough to get into the playoffs last year.
I am glad Don Watson and the players turned things around and got the team into the playoffs this year. Hopefully they do well.
Go Griffs!!!
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