Moose Take Down AHL-Leading Griffins in Thrilling Finish
In a matchup that had the feel of a playoff preview, the Manitoba Moose came out on top in dramatic fashion, edging out the AHL-leading Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 on Friday night. This one had everything-momentum swings, standout performances, and a late-game winner that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Let’s break it down.
Lineup Shifts and Home Debuts
The Moose were without forward Walker Duehr, who’s listed as day-to-day. That opened the door for Jets prospect Jacob Julien to make his home debut.
Julien slotted into the third line alongside Brayden Yager and Jaret Anderson-Dolan. On the back end, Isaak Phillips shifted to the right side for the first time this season, a notable adjustment that gave Manitoba a different look on defense.
Here’s how the Moose lined up:
Forwards:
- Lambert - Ford - Di Giuseppe
- Shaw - Gustafsson - Chibrikov
- Julien - Yager - Anderson-Dolan
- Barlow - Zhilkin - Fagemo
Defense:
- Heinola - Phillips
- Anhorn - Clague
- Sautner - Bauer
Goalie:
- Domenic DiVincentiis
First Period: Fortunate Bounce, Even Score
Manitoba opened the scoring in the first period thanks to a bit of puck luck. Kale Clague’s shot redirected off captain Mason Shaw and found its way in for Clague’s seventh of the season. Shaw and Isaak Phillips picked up the assists, and the Moose had the early edge.
But Grand Rapids, as you’d expect from the league’s top team, pushed back. A late goal in the first evened things up, and Manitoba was probably giving up a few too many quality looks for their own liking.
Second Period: Chaos and Clutch Defense
The second frame brought one of the wildest sequences of the night. Jets goaltending prospect Domenic DiVincentiis found himself without his stick for several minutes-yes, minutes.
The Moose had possession and a chance to get a whistle, but play continued. It nearly cost them, as the Griffins broke in on a dangerous chance, but DiVincentiis stood tall and made a critical stop to keep the game tied.
On the other end, Nikita Chibrikov came up with a big-time block, bailing out a Moose D pair that had been stuck out there for an extended shift. He’s not known for his shot-blocking, but that one came at a crucial time.
Heading into the third, it was a 1-1 game. Both teams were 0-for-1 on the power play, and shots were nearly even, with a slight 21-19 edge to Grand Rapids.
Third Period: High Drama and a Late Winner
The final 20 minutes started with a costly turnover. Ville Heinola mishandled the puck at the blueline, and Grand Rapids capitalized.
John Leonard buried his 26th of the season just 55 seconds into the period. After a quick review, the goal stood, and the Moose were suddenly chasing.
But Manitoba responded with poise.
Julien, in his first pro game in Winnipeg, led a rush that nearly tied it. He dished it to Yager, who tried to return the favor, but the extra pass proved to be one too many. Still, the energy from that line was noticeable.
Then came the equalizer. Danny Zhilkin, another Jets prospect, scored his eighth of the season with a slick backhand that caught the Griffins off guard. It was a sneaky, well-timed finish that brought the game back to level terms.
And with the clock winding down, the Moose found their moment.
Brad Lambert, a player who continues to show flashes of NHL potential, buried his fifth of the season with just 27 seconds left in regulation. The play started with Phil Di Giuseppe gaining the zone and Parker Ford creating havoc in front. Lambert cleaned up the rebound, and the Moose had the lead-and eventually, the win.
Final Thoughts: Moose Make a Statement
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
The Griffins came into the game as the AHL’s top team, undefeated in regulation on the road. Manitoba handed them their first such loss, outshooting them 18-7 in the third and 37-28 overall. The Moose didn’t just hang around-they took over when it mattered most.
No multi-point games on the scoresheet, but this was a total team effort. From DiVincentiis’ steady play in net, to key contributions from prospects like Zhilkin, Lambert, and Julien, to the veteran presence of Shaw and Di Giuseppe, the Moose showed they can go toe-to-toe with the best.
Up next: a chance to build on this momentum. If Friday night was any indication, this Moose team is starting to find its stride-and they’re doing it against elite competition.