Grand Rapids blows out Manitoba

Published on February 1, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Grand Rapids Griffins walked all over the Moose en route to a 5-1 win. Alex Auld was pulled after allowing two goals on five shots. Five different Griffins registered a goal in the win.

Alex Auld got the start once again for the Moose, while the Grand Rapids Griffins switched it up and went with Drew MacIntyre tonight.

Josh Green almost scored early on a point-blank opportunity. MacIntyre made the initial stop and then was put out of position but able to recover enough to make a second save.

Grand Rapids then came right back and scored. Matt Ellis backhanded a shot at the side of the net from behind the goal-line that ricocheted off the back of Auld's pad and in.

The Moose continued to get chances in spite of the flukey goal. Lee Goren broke in alone and tried to go low five-hole on MacIntyre but the Griffins netminder closed the door.

The Griffins made it 2-0 at the five-minute mark on an Eric Himelfarb blast from the right faceoff circle that went through Auld. After the goal, coach Randy Carlyle replaced Auld with Wade Flaherty.

Chanse Fitzpatrick made made a name for himself midway through the first. He dropped the gloves with Jeff Hutchins of the Griffins, winning the bout handily. He did receive an extra two minutes for roughing in the exchange, putting Grand Rapids on the powerplay.

On the ensuing powerplay, Grand Rapids scored their third of the game. Nathan Robinson tipped a Jiri Hudler point shot past Flaherty to make it 3-0.

After one period of play, Grand Rapids had a commanding 3-0 lead despite the Moose outshooting the visitors 16-8.

Nathan Smith was upended on a partial breakaway by Greg Amadio early in the second, setting up an early Moose powerplay. MacIntyre came across to block a Peter Sarno one-timer in Manitoba's best chance on the man advantage.

Grand Rapids increased their lead to 4-0 in the second. Blake Sloan picked up a rebound in front of the net for the fourth Griffins goal.

Wade Brookbank tried to inject some life into his club midway through the period. He went toe-to-toe with Peter Vandermeer. The fight lasted a good several minutes before the officials broke it up. Neither player got an upper hand in the bout.

While killing a penalty, Darryl Bootland created a turnover and broke in alone on Flaherty. He deked and scored five-hole moving his team ahead by five goals.

Manitoba finally got on the board past the midway point of the game. On a three-man rush with Kevin Bieksa, Jeff Heerema and Lee Goren, Bieksa was able to poke home the rebound to put a small dent in the Griffins' lead.

After two periods, Grand Rapids had a commanding 5-1 lead though shots were 24-15 in favour of the Moose.

The Moose did not quit in the third period despite their opponent's large lead. The majority of play in the third period was in the Grand Rapids zone, as the Moose had the Griffins pinned deep.

Late in the game, Jimmy Roy and Vandermeer engaged in a fight. Vandermeer won the bout handily but it was Roy who received two minutes for instigating. Vandermeer also received five minutes for high sticking on the play, negating any potential powerplay for the Griffins.

Ryan Kesler looked to have scored several minutes later as he tried to tuck the puck in from the side of the net. McIntyre scooped it up right on the line although replays showed it may have gone in.

The Moose ensured that they would go down fighting in the final minute. Lee Goren pounded Hutchins into submission.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2005


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