By Peter J. Wallner | pwallner@mlive.com
The Grand Rapids Griffins gave themselves a heck of a Calder Cup hangover to start the first half, and now it’s a question whether the recent signs of life are enough to even make the playoffs.
The Griffins reached the midseason point of the season Monday by defeating Manitoba – the team with the best record in the AHL – in overtime, 3-2. It was their sixth win in seven games.
That’s an encouraging sign given the team sleepwalked through October, November and most of December en route to its worst first halves in years.