Wings prospect Larkin scores, Griffins face elimination

Detroit Red Wings prospect Dylan Larkin scored his third pro goal, but it wasn't enough to keep the Grand Rapids Griffins from facing elimination.

Larkin scored a power-play goal Sunday in Game 5 between the Griffins, Detroit's AHL team, and Utica, in the Western Conference final. The Griffins lost, 3-2, in what was their last home game of the third round.

The Griffins lost despite out-shooting the Comets 34-21. A flurry of scoring came in the first period, with Utica scoring all three of their goals the first period and Mark Zengerle finding the back of the net for Grand Rapids.

The Griffins trail Utica, 3-2, after losing two of three games at Van Andel Arena.

The best-of-seven series resumes Tuesday at Utica, with an if-needed Game 7 scheduled for Wednesday.

Larkin scored at the end of the second period. His goal gave him five points in five games, a number all the more impressive given the 18-year-old center only turned pro 10 days ago.

The Wings selected Larkin, 18, at 15th overall in last summer's draft. He spent last season at Michigan, where he earned freshman of the year honors, and he was selected to represent the U.S. at the world championship in May.