Lots of contested goals between Moose & Griffins as Grand Rapids takes it 3-2 over Manitoba in a shootout

The Moose were looking to build on their 5-2 win over these same Griffins from yesterday morning in the Project 11 school day game. They scored just 23 seconds into that one but then the visitors took over for the rest of the opening period. The team spoke today after morning skate about the need to ensure that doesn’t happen in the re-match.

Health updates:

I was down at morning skate and filed this report with the latest news on Parker Ford, Chaz Lucius and Dylan Coghlan.

Lineup news:

Only changes were Ashton Sautner came out for Dawson Barteaux. And in net Kaapo Kahkonen got it from Domenic DiVincentiis.

Lines & D pairs:

Shaw– Toninato –AJF
Wagner – JAD – Lambert
Suess – King – Empey
Liwiski – Zhilkin – Chyzowski

Lundmark – Salomonsson
Phillips – Bauer
Anhorn – Barteaux

Kahkonen

Notable:

The Moose got off to an 8-2 shot edge so plenty of sustained puck possession unlike yesterday but eventually the Griffins also had their chances in the opening frame. Neither side scored but the shots ended up even 8-8.

Early in the middle frame we saw the first AHL goal for Jets prospect Fabian Wagner (2022 6th) which gave the Moose a 1-0 lead.

With just under 5 remaining in the 2nd a giveaway led to the Griffins tying up the game.

On the PK in the 3rd period the Griffins thought they had taken the lead but Moose goalie Kaapo Kahkonen felt it was kicked in. It was a 5 on 4 but a Moose defender’s stick broke blocking a shot so it was effectively a 5 on 3. Refs reviewed and called it ‘no goal’. Score remained 1-1.

Three minutes later the Griffins scored another controversial goal and this one would count. Refs didn’t feel like there was any goalie interference on Kaapo Kahkonen in his crease. It looked like it was kicked it in but Snivley shot it in with his stick on the line.

With just over four minutes remaining in regulation Grand Rapids took a four minute high-sticking penalty on Jets prospect Elias Salomonsson during a Manitoba 5 on 4 setting up an extended 5 on 3 opportunity for the home team to try to tie the game.

And appropriately Elias Salomonsson would tie the game on the power play. It was his 4th goal of the season. Assists to JAD and Brad Lambert.

With Manitoba still on the power play the home team thought they had taken a 3-2 lead but again the refs said no goa. What do you think? Not sure I’ve ever seen this many disallowed goals in one hockey game.

It was an entertaining OT but neither side found the back of the net so the Moose and Griffins needed a shootout.

In the 2nd round and down by one Jets prospect Brad Lambert with the nifty move tied it up. After the Griffins took lead in the 4th round CJ Suess needed to scored to keep it going but no dice. Moose fall 3-2 in shootout. Take three of four points to start homestand.

Multi-point game:

To follow.

Highlights:

To follow.

Player Post-Game:

To follow.

Coach Post-Game:

To follow.

Up next:

The Moose are off tomorrow.