Heartbreak for the Manitoba Moose as late PP goal gives Grand Rapids Griffins 2-1 win

The Moose began 2025 going 4-0-1 on the road before returning home for four games. Last weekend saw them get swept in their two-game set with the Marlies by a combined score of 8-0 (shutout twice for those keeping score at home). They began this two-game set with an excellent 40 minutes on Thursday which saw them build up a 3-1 lead over the Griffins before they saw it evaporate in approximately three and a half minutes to start the 3rd period and ultimately lose 5-4. They were looking to avoid back-to-back sweeps and kill the momentum they build up on the road.

Lineup news:

Moose lineup got their captain Dominic Toninato back as well as Jets prospect Brad Lambert who got returned today by the Jets.

Lines & D pairs:

Toninato– JAD –King
Shaw – Lambert – Ford
Suess – Zhilkin – Lucius
AJF – Wagner – Empey

Sautner – Lundmark
Anhorn – Coghlan
Phillips – Bauer

Kahkonen

Notable:

Just like the game on Thursday where Manitoba outshot Grand Rapids 18-5 in the opening 20 minutes this afternoon at CLC they did similarly holding a 13-3 edge in the shot category but unlike their last game neither side found the back of the net.

They did get chances at 5 on 5 but Griffins netminder Sebastian Cossa was very good including on this breakaway stop with seven minutes to go in the 2nd period.

While Moose goalie Kaapo Kahkonen wasn’t tested as often as his counterpart he did have to make some big stops to keep the game even.

Through two periods with the Moose having taken 25 shots, defenceman Dylan Coghlan had taken seven of them.

Parker Ford opened the scoring in the game as he gave the Moose a 1-0 lead over the Griffins in the 3rd period on the power play. He’s got 7G in his last 9 games and leads Manitoba with 11G. Folks may not wanna forget his name when discussing Jets recall options.

But 1:34 later the Griffins tie the game after a turnover and then a bunch of Moose players caught watching the puck and not their man.

With 2:54 left in the 3rd of a game tied 1-1 the Moose needed their PK to come up big. And at first it did including this fantastic stop by Kaapo Kahkonen. But then heartbreak for the Moose as the Griffins scored with almost no time left on their power play and one minute left in the 3rd period.

Parker Ford had a chance as time was about to expire but no dice as the Moose lose 2-1 to the Griffins and get swept for the second straight weekend.

Multi-point game:

None

Highlights:

Player post-game media:

Coach post-game media:

Up next:

The Moose are off tomorrow. They’ll practice in Winnipeg on Monday before they head out on the road for three games.