As 2021 came to a close and 2022 kicked into high gear, the Grand Rapids Griffins were hit with a depleted roster due to injuries, COVID-19 protocols, and the dreaded NHL Taxi Squad.
Despite the inconsistent bench size, the Griffins have won five of their last seven games since New Year’s Eve. Multiple skaters stepped up to the call and filled the roles needed for success.
Defender Seth Barton played in a handful of games leading up to the Griffins New Year’s Eve tilt against the Milwaukee Admirals. The short bench allowed Barton to play more minutes, which put him in the position to be able to score his first professional goal.
Barton felt like succeeding at the AHL level was possible due to the way Head Coach Ben Simon treated him. “Coach put me in a position to succeed,” explained Barton. “I’ve just tried to take that and little things where I can be consistent and be trusted.”
Like most players who hop between the ECHL and the AHL, Barton is hoping to stay in Grand Rapids as the roster becomes more stable. To separate himself from the pack, Barton plans on playing true to his style. “I don’t think I need to do anything out of my way,” said Barton. “Just keep playing a defensively strong game, progressively get better, and hopefully build off of what I’ve done over the last few weeks.”
During this time, forward Chase Pearson was able to finally get the proverbial monkey off his back January 7, 2022, scoring his first goal since October 30, 2021.. “Obviously, I was in a little bit of a slump there,” Pearson said. “So, it was really nice to get a goal. Hopefully it continues with my game and I can continue to contribute to the team.”
He went on to explain how “with hockey, there’s gonna be valleys, there’s gonna be peaks” and that the “hardest thing is to keep that level headedness” when things aren’t going the way a player planned. So, it’s important to “kind of figure out what works for you.” According to Pearson, he thinks he’s figured it out how to make the rest of the season a successful one.
Another thing working in the favor of the Griffins right now is their solid goaltending tandem of Calvin Pickard and Victor Brattstrom. With around 50 games left in the season, having two goaltenders who can step up when needed is important. “We haven’t even gotten to the grind yet. So, we’re going to need both of those guys to step up and be ready when they’re called,” explained Coach Simon. “And I have full belief that they will.”
For Pickard, even with a short bench, preparation hasn’t changed much. “Nothing has changed for me. Whether we have 10 skaters, 20 skaters, guys coming in and out of the lineup. I prepare the same way and I try to put my best foot forward.” The steady flow of games has allowed Pickard to put his best foot forward. “It’s been really nice for me playing a lot. Kind of gets me into a rhythm.”
When Pickard is unavailable, the Griffins have Brattstrom to turn to for games. Brattstrom had a rough start to the season, but is finally finding his own. His mindset of “just have fun” has helped him to focus on the task at hand and be ready for when Coach Simon gives him the call to start in net.
It also helps that Pickard and Brattstrom have a strong relationship off the ice and feed off of each other competitively. “(Pickard) helped me a lot, like keep myself positive,” explained Brattstrom, “He competes at practice. That’s what I like. He’s competitive.”
Brattstrom expanded by saying, “It helps more that he plays good. He plays really good. Every game. I have to push myself every day. That’s good. I like being around him.”
Between the positive comradery and every position understanding that they need to put their best food forward every game, the Griffins appear to have the momentum to power themselves through the grind that is the middle of the season.
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