Sebastian Cossa Shines as Griffins Bounce Back in Charlotte
Just 24 hours after being shut out by the Charlotte Checkers, the Grand Rapids Griffins flipped the script - and it all started in net. Sebastian Cossa turned in a statement performance, stopping 38 shots in a 5-2 victory that looked a lot closer than the final score suggests.
Strip away the two empty-netters, and this was a tight 3-2 battle. But Cossa’s presence between the pipes was the difference.
This wasn’t just a good game from the 21-year-old netminder - it was the kind of game that makes NHL front offices take notice. Cossa improved to 20-4-2 on the season, with a sparkling 1.99 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage.
Those numbers don’t just stand out - they scream readiness. But with Detroit’s success in the NHL this season, the timing of a potential call-up gets complicated.
Still, if you're looking for a goaltender knocking on the NHL door, Cossa's knocking loud.
The scoring for Grand Rapids came in layers. Alex Doucet opened the account, followed by goals from Ondrej Becher and Antti Tuomisto - the latter earning first-star honors for his efforts.
Sheldon Dries and Nate Danielson sealed the win with empty-net goals late, but the heavy lifting was already done. Defenseman Shai Buium chipped in with two assists, while Amadeus Lombardi, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Jakub Rychlovsky also found the scoresheet with helpers.
With the win, the Griffins improved to a league-best 35-7-2-1, good for 73 points and an AHL-leading .811 points percentage. That’s not just dominance - that’s a team firing on all cylinders as the calendar flips toward playoff season.
Red Wings Prospect Watch
Down the pipeline, there’s no shortage of intrigue for Red Wings fans.
Carter Bear continues to show why Detroit used a 13th overall pick on him in 2025. After a hat trick Friday, Bear added an assist in Everett’s 4-2 win over Victoria on Sunday.
He’s riding a hot streak with points in eight of his last nine games and now sits at 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in just 36 games. Stretch that back to last season, and Bear has racked up 131 points in his last 92 games.
That’s elite production from a player who’s only getting better.
On the blue line, 6-foot-4 defenseman Larry Keenan (117th overall, 2023) is turning heads at UMass. He tallied two assists and finished plus-two in a 5-2 win over UMass-Lowell on Saturday. The name might sound familiar - he’s the grandson of former NHLer Larry Keenan - and the younger Keenan is carving out his own path with steady, impactful play.
Brent Solomon, another promising fourth-round pick from 2025, added a goal on three shots in a 6-3 win. The Minnesota native continues to show off a lethal shot, and his development has been trending upward.
Around the Red Wings System
Elsewhere in the organization, prospect Eddie Genborg drew a penalty for a hit to the head of fellow Red Wings draft pick Anton Johansson - a moment that drew attention across social media. It’s a reminder that even within the same system, competition can get heated.
Meanwhile, Brent Solomon shared that it was a family move to Minnesota that sparked his hockey journey - a move that’s clearly paid off as he continues to rise through the ranks.
The Bigger Picture
While the NHL playoff picture tightens, Atlantic Division rivals like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are on the outside looking in, with only slim hopes of making a late-season push. That’s a storyline to keep an eye on as Detroit looks to solidify its own postseason position.
But for now, the spotlight belongs to Grand Rapids - and to Sebastian Cossa. With every start like this, the question becomes less about if he’ll get the NHL call, and more about when.