GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Griffins are getting a key player back for a game, but losing another one for four.
The Detroit Red Wings are expected to return goaltender Petr Mrazek back to Grand Rapids for Wednesday’s home game against the Lake Erie Monsters. Mrazek joined the Red Wings after Jonas Gustavsson suffered a separated shoulder in Wednesday’s overtime loss to the New York Rangers that will keep the Monster out for two months.
Since the Red Wings are off until Friday, Mrazek can join the Griffins for Wednesday’s game and return to Detroit for the Red Wings’ game against Chicago at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings recalled Thomas McCollum from Grand Rapids to serve as the team’s second goaltender during practices.
In separate move, the Red Wings reassigned fellow goaltender Jared Coreau from Toledo after playing in Walleye’s 4-3 shootout win over Cincinnati on Sunday to serve as Mrazek’s backup on Wednesday.
While the Griffins are getting back Mrazek for just one game, they will be without defenseman Brennan Evans for the next four. The American Hockey League today suspended Evans four games for a kneeing incident in Friday’s 4-0 loss at Milwaukee.
Evans hit Admirals forward Viktor Stalberg as he was trying to leave the Admirals zone. Stalberg, a Nashville Predators forward wrapping up a conditioning stint with Milwaukee, would have to be helped off the ice with a knee injury. He could miss an extended period of time with the injury.
Evans was not penalized for the hit by the two referees at the game. It appeared to be a hip check that Stalberg tried to jump away from. Even the Admirals radio announcer, Aaron Sims, was heard on the AHL Live webcast calling Evans’ hit a “good hit.”
Evans will be eligible to return on Saturday, November 22 when the Griffins host the Lake Erie Monsters again at 7:00 p.m.
