For the third time this post-season the Moose backs were up against the wall as they faced elimination. Unlike in the first round it was going to take a monumental effort in the second round going up against the best team in the Western Conference.
Lineup news:
Three changes as Thomas Milic got the net from Domenic DiVincentiis. Dawson Barteaux came in for Kale Clague (away for positive family reasons) while Tyson Empey replaced an injured Lucas Wahlin.
Moose lineup:
JAD-Ford-PDG
Shaw-Gustafsson-Duehr
Lambert-Yager-Fagemo
Barlow-Zhilkin-Empey
Phillips-Brown
Sautner-Bauer
Anhorn-Barteaux
Milic
Notable:
The PK has been so strong for Manitoba this season but it was not on this night when they needed it most, starting early in the 1st period as the Griffins opened the scoring with this blast which made it 1-0 for Grand Rapids.
Finding themselves down 1-0 after 20 minutes the Moose had a good start to the middle frame getting an early chance.
The Moose clearly got the memo in the intermission as they tied the game courtesy of this Dylan Anhorn with this blast.
About 11 minutes later, late in another Griffins powerplay, Axel Sandin-Pellikka had a great individual effort to give the Griffins the lead back. Second power play goal for Grand Rapids this game.
Trailing by a goal the Moose started the 3rd period pushing but the Griffins took advantage of a turnover and turned it into a 3-1 lead off a 2 on 1.
Another power play goal for the Griffins as they took a commanding 4-1 lead in this elimination game with the Moose.
With just a shade under five minutes left in the 3rd, Phil Di Giuseppe got the Moose within two.
Manitoba was pushing to get within one but Grand Rapids fired one into the empty net from long range to basically seal the deal.
That will do it as the Moose fall in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs to the best in the west Griffins by a final score of 5-2 who take it 3 games to 1.
And the two teams, which had quite the battle in this series, shake hands as the Griffins will advance and the Moose will return to Manitoba with their season over.
Multi-point game:
None
Highlights:
Players & Coach post-game media:
Up next:
The Moose season is now over on the ice. We will still have the end of season media avails likely on Monday so stay tuned for that and be sure you’re subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Start your Saturday morning with all the latest Jets and Moose news beginning at 7 AM CT with the Morning Papers, join us for two hours of hockey talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show and then stick with our Moose/Griffins game coverage starting at 6 PM CT.
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