they have an off-ni ht, we know they’re going to bounce back.” By mid-March, the Griffins were within a few points of having the best record in the AHL. “The biggest thing is we want to keep playing good hockey,” Paetsch said. “You don’t want to get into the playoffs hen you’re not playing your best, and I think that’s the key. First and foremost, we’ve got to clinch a playoff pot, but then you’d like to go in on a high.” When the Griffins close out the regular season in Cleveland against the Lake Erie Monsters on April 19, what will matter most is that the team will be counted among those that have qualifi d for the Calder Cup Playoffs “We’ve had a successful regular season, but in the end that really doesn’t mean much,” Paetsch said. “It just means we’re in the top 16 and that’s all that matters. You saw what can happen last year. We didn’t win the outright league title or anything, but we hit our stride at the right time. Hopefully we can do the same this year.” The experience of last season should be invaluable. “Look at Syracuse last year,” Evans said, pointing to the Griffins’ opponent in the Calder
Cup Finals. “They had a great team and they found themselves back in the fi als because they knew how to win. They knew what it took and how hard it is. “Thi gs don’t get easier in the playoffs, hings get harder every single game.” For the younger players, it’s an opportunity to play a role in a potential championship run. “We hope they have that hunger,” Hoggan said. “You hope they don’t have the mindset that they saw what we accomplished last year and that’s enough. You hope they think, ‘I was here, but I want to be a bigger part of it. I want to have a bigger role.’” “We have enough new guys who want to prove themselves,” Evans said. “Success comes with winning. You see how many guys are with the Wings right now. [Ten members of the Griffins’ Calder Cup championship team were on Detroit’s roster as of March 12.] There are guys here who want to move up, and winning defin tely helps that.” Others will want to prove last year was no fluke. “I’m so excited,” Mrazek said. “We want to win it again.” Mrazek said he will approach the playoffs ith
S
Od un can ba On ser FR an
• • • • •
W
35
61
Mon
Triston Grant formed a formidable fourth-line combination during last season’s finals with andon Ferraro and Mitch Callahan. 28
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2013 Calder Cup Champions