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 Updated: Apr. 12, 2008 at 8:38 PM CDT
Griffins clip Moose 3-2 in overtime


By Jen Sharpe
www.moosehockey.com

Though the Manitoba Moose came from behind to force overtime Saturday night, the Grand Rapids Griffins completed the two-game sweep thanks to an overtime game-winner from Evan McGrath. Griffins goalie Jimmy Howard stopped 23 shots for the 3-2 win, while Cory Schneider stopped 28 for only his second loss in 14 starts.

>> Click here to see official scorer's sheet




First Period

Both goalies saw equal action through the first five minutes, and despite benefiting from the game's first powerplay at 6:42, Manitoba was unable to put extra pressure on Howard.

In the latter half of the period, a trio penalties to the Moose and Griffins kept special teams on the ice. Grand Rapids created the best chances and kept Manitoba's penalty killers on their toes, but saves courtesy of Schneider and new Moose Mitch Ganzak kept the puck out of the net. Upon the return of five-on-five play, however, Tom Galvin fed the puck to Darren Helm who beat a scrambling Schneider to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

With just over a second left in the frame, a short but scrappy fight between Colby Genoway and Jonathan Ericsson triggered a bigger brawl between Mike Brown and Jamie Tardif at the buzzer. In addition to the fighting majors, an extra roughing penalty to Mark O'Leary ensured the Moose a second powerplay heading into the second period.


Second Period

Although the Moose gained some ground in the shot department on two powerplays in the first half of the second period, the club was unable to beat Howard. At the tail end of the second penalty, Grand Rapids surged shorthanded and, just as Randall Gelech concluded his penalty, Francis Lemieux beat Schneider to put the Griffins up 2-0.

But 47 seconds later, Manitoba's Shaun Heshka narrowed the gap. With help from Greg Rallo and Juraj Simek, the blueliner fooled Howard to put the Moose on the scoreboard.

Like in the first period, a late Griffins infraction put the Moose up a man but down a goal heading into the final frame.


Third Period

The Moose and Griffins battled back-and-forth in the first half of the third period, a stretch highlighted by a one-on-one battle between Rick Rypien and O'Leary. With another penalty pending to Grand Rapids, Schneider fled his net and six Moose skaters took to the ice. The visitors controlled the play and kept the Griffins from touching up, allowing Jannik Hansen to tie the game at two -- and ultimately force overtime.


Overtime

After a few failed scoring attempts in the first two minutes of overtime, Grand Rapids' Evan McGrath got the game-winner by skating up the right wing and beating Schneider from the face-off circle. The goal secured a 3-2 overtime victory for the Griffins and limited the Moose to a single point in two games in Michigan.


Game Summary

SCORING 1 2 3 OT T
Manitoba 0 1 1 0 2
Grand Rapids 1 1 0 1 3

Apr 12, 2008 - Van Andel Arena

FIRST PERIOD:

1. Grand Rapids, D. Helm (16) (T. Galvin, J. Insana) 18:04  

Penalties - F. Lemieux Gra (holding) 6:42, A. Bolduc Mtb (roughing) 11:01, F. Lemieux Gra (holding) 12:45, L. Bourdon Mtb (tripping) 15:57, C. Genoway Mtb (fighting) 19:58, J. Ericsson Gra (fighting) 19:58, M. O'Leary Gra (holding) 19:58, M. Brown Mtb (fighting) 20:00, J. Tardif Gra (fighting) 20:00


SECOND PERIOD:

2. Grand Rapids, F. Lemieux (6)   11:24  
3. Manitoba, S. Heshka (9) (G. Rallo, J. Simek) 12:11  

Penalties - R. Gelech Gra (holding) 9:25, M. Brown Mtb (boarding) 16:08, T. Galvin Gra (interference) 19:51


THIRD PERIOD:

4. Manitoba, J. Hansen (20) (M. Ganzak, G. Classen) 10:17  

Penalties - R. Rypien Mtb (fighting) 8:30, M. O'Leary Gra (fighting) 8:30


OT PERIOD:

5. Grand Rapids, E. McGrath (18) (F. Lemieux, J. Ericsson) 2:18  

Penalties - No Penalties

SHOTS 1 2 3 OT T
Manitoba 4 9 12 0 25
Grand Rapids 14 6 10 1 31


POWER PLAYS:

Manitoba Moose 0-5. Grand Rapids Griffins 0-3.

GOALTENDERS:

Manitoba Moose
Schneider 21-12-2
Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 61:47 SV: 28 GA: 3 [L]


Grand Rapids Griffins
Howard 21-28-2
Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 62:11 SV: 23 GA: 2 [W]



Attendance:
9,563

Three Stars
  1. GRA - Evan McGrath
  2. MTB - Jannik Hansen
  3. GRA - Jimmy Howard
What's Next

  • The Moose play their final regular season game Sunday afternoon in Toronto. The club then returns home for a few days before commencing their North Division Semi-Final series vs. the Syracuse Crunch.

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