Griffins Look to Advance to the Calder Cup Western Conference Finals

Van Andel Arena will be the host of Game 5 of the Western
Conference Semifinals, as the Griffins look to advance
tonight.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Following a 4-1 victory in Game Four of the AHL Western Conference Semifinal game against the Toronto Marlies, the Grand Rapids Griffins on the cusp of the advancing. Now up in the series three games to one, the Griffins can wrap up their spot in the Western Conference Finals tonight at Van Andel Arena. The winner of this series will go on to face the Oklahoma City Barons, affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers. If the Griffins advance in this series against Toronto, they will receive home advantage during the next round.

Tonight, the Griffins will once again look to their goalie, Petr Mrazek to provide the stellar saves he has throughout the Calder Cup playoffs. Offensively, 22-year old Tomas Tatar will be leaned upon. Tatar is tied with the team lead in the playoffs with nine points, six of which are goals. Another young player to be leaned upon will be 21-year old Landon Ferraro, who is tied for the team lead with seven assists during the playoffs. Ferraro has been stellar on the offensive end for Grand Rapids, and also added the go-ahead goal last night in the third period to beat the Marlies.

Griffins head coach, Jeff Blashill has had the team ready to play in nearly every game during the Calder Cup playoffs, and will look to do the same tonight. One thing that really stood out to Blashill in Friday night's Game Four, was the puck pressure that his team placed on Toronto. "We had very good puck pressure, both up the ice and coming back, and when we do that, we're a good team," said Blashill, in just his second season as Griffins head coach. The Griffins tilted the ice in game four, outshooting the Marlies, 36 to 18, which would ultimately result in a 4-1 victory.