Canadiens Red Wings Hockey

Anthony Mantha, center, laughs with teammate Andreas Athanasiou after Detroit's win Thursday.

(Paul Sancya | AP)

GRAND RAPIDS - When Anthony Mantha knocked in a rebound Thursday for his first NHL goal, there was a sense of accomplishment that extended down to Grand Rapids.

"You know, you feel proud when you see a kid go up there and get his first goal like that," Griffins coach Todd Nelson said Friday. "Mo earned that call up. It wasn't one of those where, 'Oh, we'll see how he does a couple games.'"

Mantha, in his fifth game with Detroit since his call up from Grand Rapids, scored on the power play in the second period that gave the Red Wings a 4-0 lead against Montreal. It turned out to be the game-winner in a 4-3 nail biter.

The 21-year-old has played well in his short time with the Red Wings, which didn't surprise Nelson. Mantha, after a slow start this season, has 21 goals and 45 points in 56 games with the Griffins, including 14 points and eight goals in his past 12 games. That's a notable improvement from last season when he had 15 goals and 33 points in 62 games for the season.

Todd Nelson

"You watch him out there, he adds size to them and you definitely notice it when he's on the ice," Nelson said. "He's not overly physical but his size, his reach, he helps their forward group."

It was unfair, Nelson said, to reap so high of expectations so early on Mantha.

"Everybody develops differently," he said "It took him some time and some growing pains, but that gave him a chance to mature and that's what the American Hockey League is all about - develop players into men as professionals.

"He's a great story. He had a tough year last year and this year he played himself into a spot in Detroit."

Grand Rapids may see Mantha one more time. Depending on how the postseason plays out for the Red Wings and Griffins, Mantha could rejoin the Griffins for the playoffs.