MacIntyre backstops Moose to 4-1 win

Published on February 22, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, MI. -- Manitoba Moose goaltender Drew MacIntyre followed up Wednesday's history-making overtime game-winning goal with a 41-save, first-star performance Friday night, securing a 4-1 Moose victory over the Griffins in Grand Rapids. The win extends Manitoba's winning streak to three games.

After 14 minutes of fast-paced play in which the Moose outshot the Griffins 10-5, Manitoba defenceman Shaun Heshka opened up the scoring. Spotting an opening in front of the net, Heshka descended into the slot and converted a pass from forward Jason Jaffray into his fourth goal of the season.

With the Moose up 1-0, young Moose scrapper Zack FitzGerald and NHL vet Darren McCarty decided to drop the gloves. After sizing eachother up and floating back into the neutral zone, the pair grappled and McCarty landed a few punches before the linesmen put an end to the fight.

The coincidental fighting majors extended five-on-five play through to the end of the first, and the Moose headed to their locker room up 1-0 and with a 13-7 shot lead.

Two-minutes into the second period, Grand Rapids' Evan McGrath took a hooking penalty and Manitoba benefited from the game's first powerplay. Despite forcing a brief shorthanded rush into the Moose zone, the Griffins would soon feel the full effect of Manitoba's powerplay unit. After accelerating across the blue-line, center Rick Rypien out-played Grand Rapids defenders and goaltender Adam Berkhoel to net a powerplay goal and put the Moose up 2-0.

Five minutes later, Grand Rapids would receive their first man-advantage and attempt to beat MacIntyre with a powerplay marker. But new Moose and Manitoba native David Schulz would complete his interference minor without a home goal and the Griffins would go 0-for-1 on the powerplay.

In the dying minutes of the second, the Griffins gathered steam and assumed a 22-21 shot lead. A rush up the left wing forced MacIntyre backwards into his net to make a save, and the corresponding Griffins celebration caused a moment of confusion around the net. But the red light didn't go on and the referee ruled no goal, maintaining Manitoba's 2-0 lead through to the end of the second period.

Grand Rapids continued to test MacIntyre through the early minutes of the third, posting 30 shots to Manitoba's 26 by the six-minute mark. Although the Griffins were relentless and had a handful of excellent scoring opportunities, the Moose goalie held strong as the home team closed in on 40 shots.

With 6:37 left on the clock, former Hamilton Bulldog Francis Lemieux notched the Griffins' 39th shot -- and first goal -- from a sharp angle, putting Grand Rapids within one.

A last-minute, six-skater Griffins surge brought out the best in MacIntyre, Rypien, and Moose defenders, but the vacant home net would be the downfall for the home team as Manitoba's Alexandre Bolduc and Mike Brown potted empty-netters to secure a 4-1 Moose victory Friday night.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Moose continue their weekend three-in-three with a rematch against the Griffins Saturday night in Grand Rapids. The club's next home game is Wednesday, February 27th vs. the East Division's Hershey Bears.

NEXT GAME: SATURDAY, FEB. 23 (VAN ANDEL ARENA - GRAND RAPIDS, MI.)

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American Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2008


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