Carter Mazur's performance highlights his call-up to the Detroit Red Wings as key players from the Grand Rapids Griffins excelled in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. The Griffins defeated the Manitoba Moose 5-2, advancing in the playoffs.
A couple of recent Detroit Red Wings first-round picks played key roles as the Grand Rapids Griffins forged ahead in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka (No. 17, 2023 draft) and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (No. 15, 2024) each scored a goal on Friday, May 8, as the Griffins downed the Manitoba Moose, 5-2, at Van Andel Arena.
The goals helped the Griffins close out the Central Division semifinals four games into the best-of-five series.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård in Game 4 of the series between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Manitoba Moose on May 8, 22026 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
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The Griffins advance to meet the Chicago Wolves in the Central Division finals, also a best-of-five round. Game 1 opens the series Thursday in Grand Rapids.
Eduards Tralmarks, a free-agent signing, scored in the first period. Goaltender Michal Postava, another free-agent signing, made 19 saves in his fourth straight start.
Carter Mazur, who had two goals in Game 3, had two goals and an assist Friday, scoring his first on a power play and his second into an empty net (his second straight game with an empty-net goal). Mazur is a third-round pick from 2021 who played eight games for the Wings this season.
Sandin-Pellikka, who appeared in 68 games for the Wings this season, scored his first goal of the playoffs with about five minutes to play in the second period, giving the Griffins a 2-1 lead.
Carter Mazur showcased his skills during the AHL Calder Cup playoffs, contributing to the Grand Rapids Griffins' success.
The Griffins won their series against the Manitoba Moose, closing it out with a 5-2 victory in Game 4.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård each scored a goal in the Griffins' playoff win against the Manitoba Moose.
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Dylan Anhorn (second period) and Phillip Di Giuseppe (third period) scored for the Moose.
Brandsegg-Nygård, who played in 14 games, scored his second goal of the playoffs early in the third period.
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. The Griffins took Game 3 by a score of 4-2.
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: Grand Rapids Griffins advance in playoffs behind 2 Carter Mazur goals