The Grand Rapids Griffins Win The 2013 Calder Cup

After a loss in Game 5 of the Calder Cup Finals, the Griffins had to head to
Syracuse to retrieve the trophy in Game 6.
Picture Courtesy: WZZM 13 Dan Harland

SYRACUSE, NY -- It has been a long ride for the Grand Rapids Griffins this postseason. However, this season will have a fairy tale ending after the Griffins defeated the Syracuse Crunch 4-2 in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals on Tuesday night. After a deflating Game 5 loss at Van Andel Arena on Saturday night, the Griffins needed to travel to Syracuse to wrap up their first ever Calder Cup trophy, and they did just that.

The Syracuse Crunch drew first blood after Richard Panik scored past an out-of-position Petr Mrazek. However, the Griffins came right back and scored two straight in the second period when Mitch Callahan and Calder Cup MVP Tomas Tatar each scored. Just five minutes into the third period, Andrej Sustr tied the game at 2-2. However, the Griffins wouldn't look back after that. Just minutes later, the unlikely postseason story of Griffins' defenseman, Brennan Evans continued with his second goal of the playoffs after not scoring in the regular season. His goal came on assists from Mitch Callahan and Riley Sheahan, and would give the Griffins the 3-2 lead with ten minutes remaining. Finally, with under a minute remaining, Tomas Tatar and Joakim Andersson would each add empty net goals to seal the deal and bring the Calder Cup trophy to Grand Rapids for the first time in franchise history.

Despite many long and gruesome series' this postseason, the Griffins were able to finish the job in the Calder Cup Finals. Many people doubted whether or not the Griffins could remain fresh for the Calder Cup Finals after their long postseason. The Grand Rapids playoff run included a five game series with Houston in the first round, a six game series with Toronto in the Western Conference semifinals, and a seven game series with the Oklahoma City Barons in the Western Conference Finals, a playoff journey much longer lived than that of the Syracuse Crunch.