The Grand Rapids Griffins are just one win away from advancing to the division finals in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs, and their top prospects are stepping up when it matters most.

On Wednesday night at Van Andel Arena, the Detroit Red Wings' primary farm team took a 2-1 series lead over the Manitoba Moose with a commanding 4-2 victory. Goaltender Michal Postava, who has emerged as the Griffins' playoff starter, made 15 saves and never trailed in the contest.

The scoring started early when forward Jakub Rychlovsky, a 24-year-old free agent signing, put the Griffins on the board at 11:57 of the first period. Former Red Wings defenseman Erik Gustafsson doubled the lead early in the second period with a goal that gave the home team breathing room.

But the real story was Carter Mazur. The third-round pick from 2021, who appeared in eight games with the Red Wings late this season, delivered a clutch performance. He scored with three minutes left in the second period to make it 3-0, then after the Moose pulled within one with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, Mazur iced the game with an empty-net goal with 36 seconds left—his second of the night.

For fans tracking Detroit's future stars, there's plenty to watch. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (selected 15th overall in 2024) has a goal and an assist through three playoff games, while Axel Sandin-Pellikka (17th overall in 2023) is still searching for his first point. Meanwhile, 2021 first-round pick Sebastian Cossa, who started 39 regular-season games to Postava's 25, has been serving as backup after struggling down the stretch.

The series has been a defensive battle throughout. After being shut out 1-0 in Game 1, the Griffins responded with a 2-0 shutout in Game 2 before Wednesday's victory. Now they'll look to close out the best-of-five series in Game 4 on Friday night at Van Andel Arena.