GRAND RAPIDS - It didn't take Filip Zadina long to win over the hometown fans Friday night when the Grand Rapids Griffins hosted Hershey.

The Detroit Red Wings' No. 1 draft choice scored his first two goals as a Griffin, sparking Grand Rapids to a 6-3 victory at Van Andel Arena before 10,834 fans.

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It was the first win of the season for the Griffins, who dropped a pair of road games last weekend, and it was Zadina leading the way. His first goal came at the 17:42 mark of the first period, and it gave Grand Rapids a 2-1 lead. Zadina's second came at 16:51, and it put the Griffins up 5-3.

Filip Zadina (Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids Griffins)

"It was an awesome feeling, especially for us because we won the game," said Zadina, who also had a team-high four shots. "It was our home opener, and we wanted to win this game so badly, and we did it. It was good for us.

"I am getting better every single game, and I'm way more comfortable than I was when I played the first game. (The goals) helped me a lot mentally, and I am more confident with the puck. It was such a good game, but we have to continue it (Saturday) in Chicago. I just wanted to help the team win. That's why I'm here."

It marked the 23rd consecutive year that the Griffins have sold out their home season opener.

The Red Wings drafted the 18-year old Zadina sixth overall this past June, and he is the highest draft choice to play for the Griffins. Carter Camper assisted both of Zadina's goals.

"He has a lot of speed, a lot of high-end skill," Camper said of Zadina. "When he can get his feet going, he can really use his speed more. He's not there yet, but he's a shooter, obviously. He is going to create space. That's what I'm trying to do for him."

Zadina joined the Red Wings when Detroit's camp opened, and he was hoping to make the team. He scored two goals and had an assist for the Red Wings before he was sent to Grand Rapids.

Zadina didn't have any trouble finding a home once he arrived in Grand Rapids. He has moved in with Griffins assistant coach Mike Knuble, who was a 17-year NHL veteran and a native of Kentwood.

"He is staying with us," Knuble said. "At the end of the day, he is a draft pick, but he is an 18-year-old kid who is coming from another country and is on his own. Nobody thought it was a great idea to turn a kid as an 18 year old out on his own.

"We provide a nice home environment with a warm meal and a roof over his head. There is always somebody home and around. Who knows how long it's going to be, but it has been fun, and he is a fantastic kid. We have enjoyed having him."

Knuble said Zadina has been the perfect house guest. He added that he would put him to work raking leaves, but the Knubles do have a service to take care of that. That will give Zadina more time to work on his game.

"He scored his first goal, coming through the slot, and it hit him on the foot," Knuble said. "But scorers score, and the puck seems to find them sometimes. The first goal kind of found him. The second goal came on a PP, and he had a heavy shot on goal that had enough momentum to tumble in.

"The goals are going to come. But we want to see him round out his game here. You can't be a one trick pony where you wait for goals. You have to play in your own end."

The Griffins will return to action Saturday when they visit the Chicago Wolves.