Detroit – The Grand Rapids Griffins hoped to have a long, successful playoff run.
That would have given the Red Wings’ prospects playing in the minor leagues valuable experience, competing in pressure-filled games and learning to win in the postseason.
That was the hope. But reality set in Sunday, in the first-round of the AHL playoffs.
The Griffins went into Chicago in the deciding game of a best-of-five series and lost 4-2 to the top-seeded Wolves.
So, top prospects such as forward Filip Zadina, and defensemen Filip Hronek and Dennis Cholowski, were limited to five playoff games worth of experience.