Grand Rapids Griffins Advance to AHL Western Conference Finals

The Detroit Red Wings aren't in the playoffs for the first time in over a quarter century but the Red Wings farm team is doing their part to try and fill the void.

The Grand Rapids Griffins won game five of the Central Division Finals 5-2 over the Chicago Wolves to advance to the AHL's western conference finals on Saturday. It is the third time in the last five years the Griffins have advanced this far in the playoffs.

Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice and Jared Coreau made 22 saves in the win. Both of those players spent time with the Red Wings this season.

The Griffins have been on a tear this postseason sporting a record of 7-1 (the first round is best of five in the American Hockey League) and going back to the regular season the Griffins have won 10 of their last 11 games played.

Grand Rapids now waits for the winner of the Pacific Division finals and will be the lower seed against either the San Diego Gulls or the San Jose Barracuda.