Recap: Grand Rapids 2 at Moose 1 OT

Grand Rapids Griffins (44-22-1-4) at Manitoba Moose (26-36-5-5)

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 – MTS Centre, Winnipeg, MB

Goal Summary

Game Story
The Manitoba Moose (26-36-5-5) and Grand Rapids Griffins (44-22-1-4) faced off for the second night in a row at MTS Centre on Wednesday night.  The opening frame took on a tight-checking stance with neither side breaking double-digits for shots.  After shutting down four Griffins powerplays on Tuesday, the penalty kill kept rolling with another stop in the first to get the game to the break in a scoreless tie.

Manitoba opened the scoring for the second night in a row.  Scott Kosmachuk slipped by a check at the top of the zone before picking the top corner over Jared Coreau’s shoulder for his second in as many nights.  The Moose penalty kill went back to work in the frame, facing down a five-on-three disadvantage leading into the remaining three minutes of a double minor.  The hosts nearly made it through the stretch, but Evgeny Svechnikov finally broke through for Grand Rapids with 16 seconds left on the powerplay to tie the game 1-1.  Jamie Phillips was locked in during the middle frame, stopping 21 of 22 shots to send the teams into the third tied 1-1.

The third period saw the scoring chances ease back from the second.  Both teams had one powerplay opportunity, but neither cashed in on their chance.  Phillips and Coreau locked things down between the pipes making nine and seven saves respectively to send the game past 60 minutes.  The Moose had the first great chance of overtime as Chase De Leo wheeled into the slot, but rang his shot off the post.  Grand Rapids ended the game moments later as Axel Holmstrom struck 2:11 into overtime to send the Griffins home with a 2-1 victory.

Quick Hits

• Jamie Phillips made a season and career high 40 saves.
• Elgin Pearce and Adam Pleskach made their AHL debuts.
• Scott Kosmachuk has goals in two straight games and points in three straight (2G, 1A).
• With their 62nd point, the Moose surpassed their total from one season ago.
• Game attendance was announced at 4,747.

Quotable
Head Coach Pascal Vincent – “We were facing a pretty good team.  Three new guys in the lineup for us and we had an 18-year old on defence as well.  Jamie Phillips played extremely well.  Overall it was a pretty good team effort.”

Jamie Phillips on Eric Comrie’s recall to the Jets: "I was happy for him, I think it's well deserved. Eric's a very good goalie and he deserves to play tomorrow. He deserves to get a shot in the NHL and I'm here to push. I'm not going to lie. I want that starting job here and I want to be that guy that gets called up and there's no if’s, and’s or but’s about that. But I'm really happy because Eric's a great guy and he's a good goalie, but I hope to be that guy one day."

Linked Up
Game Summary: http://mbmoo.se/2oc1aw8
Highlights and Post-Game Coverage: https://moosehockey.com/moosetv/
Photo Gallery: http://mbmoo.se/2nZJzVZ

What’s Next?
The Moose take on the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday (Nic Petan Bobblehead Night - 7 p.m. CT) and Sunday (Fan Appreciation Day - 2 p.m. CT) to close out their home schedule.  Tickets for the final two home games of the 2016-17 season are available at moosehockey.com/tickets.