This has been billed as a David vs Goliath between the top-ranked Grand Rapids Griffins and the 4th place Manitoba Moose in a best of five series which starts in Winnipeg with Games 1 & 2.
While the home team didn’t really acknowledge that storyline they did know how impressive this juggernaut Grand Rapids team has been this season finishing atop the Western Conference. The emphasis was on how important Game 1 going to be.
Lineup news:
Only change was Garrett Brown for Elias Salomonsson on the backend as the Jets 2022 4th rounder made his professional debut this afternoon.
Moose lineup:
Barlow-Ford-PDG
Lambert-Yager-Wahlin
Shaw-Gustafsson-Duehr
JAD-Zhilkin-Fagemo
Phillips-Clague
Sautner-Bauer
Anhorn-Brown
DiVincentiis
Notable:
Right from the start the Moose were on the attack starting with Parker Ford (who I had as my Moose player to keep an eye on in today’s 680 CJOB pre-game show) setting up a great chance as he got the puck over to Phil Di Giuseppe on a 2 on 1, but he went for the roof job and put it a wee bit high.
Another good chance for Manitoba who have definitely started off this game with some jump. Just handcuffs Samuel Fagemo as he attempts to bury this Danny Zhilkin rebound and then JAD also gets a shot to put home the puck.
So you want be a defenceman eh. Ashton Sautner blocks the cannon and then takes a high stick at the end of the play.
What a sequence of stops by Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis on the penalty kill.
Another fantastic save by DiVincentiis who made 14 stops in the 1st period of Game 1 for the Moose.
He kept up his brilliance in the 2nd (and the rest of the game) making this breakaway stop as the Griffins got a shorthanded breakaway.
Tyrel Bauer bringing the physicality on this hit lining up Eddie Genborg who was a bit sore after it.
With seconds to go in the middle frame DiVincentiis continued to make stop after stop after stop.
Playoffs are all about sacrifice and Jets prospect Brad Lambert took a hit to feed fellow prospect Brayden Yager for a breakaway chance but no dice.
Some cat-like reflexes from DiVincentiis, adjusting to a deflected shot.
Late in the 3rd the Moose would head to the PP and once again it comes up big in the playoffs as the captain, Mason Shaw gave Manitoba a lead with 2:26 left in the 3rd.
What a hockey game. Moose won Game 1 by a final score of 1-0. Manitoba take a 1-0 series lead.
The Winnipeg crowd showed the love for DiVincentiis, who was named 1st Star of Game 1 as his club took a 1–0 lead in their 2nd round series. He made 39 saves on 39 shots. Has won 3 straight, allowing just 2 goals on 91 shots (.978 save%, 0.67 GAA).
Multi-point game:
None
Highlights:
To follow.
Players & Coach post-game media:
Up next:
The Moose will be right back downtown tomorrow afternoon as they will place the Griffins in Game 2 of their second round series. Puck drop is at 2 PM CT.
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