GRIFFINS FEEL POWER OF MOOSE
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – On this day 70 years ago the International-American Hockey League, as it was called until 1940, consisting of eight teams opened its gates with each club taking the ice. Contrary to 1936, the Grand Rapids Griffins and Manitoba Moose were the only two teams of 27 in action Tuesday during the historic night which ended in 2-1 fashion in favor of the Moose at the MTS Centre.
Both Moose goals came during power plays as they have yet to score an even strength lamp-lighter against the Griffins this season while maintaining six straight with the man-advantage stretching over two games.
The Griffins dominated the action during the opening frame out shooting Manitoba 12-2 and netted the first goal of the contest at 10:07. Krys Kolanos gained puck possession in the corner and circled to the high-slot to leave a drop pass for Matt Hussey before snapping his line mate’s rebound just inside the goal post from the right dot.
Manitoba notched the equalizer 7:25 into the second when Nathan Smith slid a blind pass to the top of the crease where an undetected Jason Jaffray jammed the puck through the pads of Stefan Liv. Less then one minute later Darryl Bootland and Mike Keane would go toe-to-toe exchanging blows, but failed to spark more action as the period closed deadlocked at one goal.
Brandon Reid provided the go-ahead goal for the Moose at 6:15 of the third as he ripped a shot from the hashes over the shoulder of the goaltender. A similar scene occurred as more fisticuffs’ took place shortly after with Brendan Brooks and Rick Rypien squaring off in a bout that would once again have no fluid to spark the flame.
Grand Rapids fired 28 shots on Wade Flaherty while the Moose were able to muster the victory with just 18. The Griffins will face-off against the Moose for the final time in four consecutive contests tomorrow night in Winnipeg at 8:30 p.m. EST.
Both Moose goals came during power plays as they have yet to score an even strength lamp-lighter against the Griffins this season while maintaining six straight with the man-advantage stretching over two games.
The Griffins dominated the action during the opening frame out shooting Manitoba 12-2 and netted the first goal of the contest at 10:07. Krys Kolanos gained puck possession in the corner and circled to the high-slot to leave a drop pass for Matt Hussey before snapping his line mate’s rebound just inside the goal post from the right dot.
Manitoba notched the equalizer 7:25 into the second when Nathan Smith slid a blind pass to the top of the crease where an undetected Jason Jaffray jammed the puck through the pads of Stefan Liv. Less then one minute later Darryl Bootland and Mike Keane would go toe-to-toe exchanging blows, but failed to spark more action as the period closed deadlocked at one goal.
Brandon Reid provided the go-ahead goal for the Moose at 6:15 of the third as he ripped a shot from the hashes over the shoulder of the goaltender. A similar scene occurred as more fisticuffs’ took place shortly after with Brendan Brooks and Rick Rypien squaring off in a bout that would once again have no fluid to spark the flame.
Grand Rapids fired 28 shots on Wade Flaherty while the Moose were able to muster the victory with just 18. The Griffins will face-off against the Moose for the final time in four consecutive contests tomorrow night in Winnipeg at 8:30 p.m. EST.