Oct. 16, 2010 - GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 3 at Manitoba Moose 2

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Moose 3-2 Saturday night at the MTS Centre completing a weekend sweep in Manitoba.

Joey MacDonald made 19 saves to earn his 90th win as a Griffin, which ties Jimmy Howard for the franchise record in goaltender wins. In addition, the Griffins penalty killing unit was perfect over the weekend, denying Manitoba (2-2-0-0) on a total of 12 power play chances.

The Griffins (2-1-0-1) return to Van Andel Arena on Friday, Oct. 22 to battle the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m. EDT.

Grand Rapids found the net first just six seconds into a power play at 12:46 of the first period. Jamie Tardif won the faceoff back to Derek Meech, who attempted a long shot only to be tipped past Tyler Weiman by Joakim Andersson.

The Griffins were able maintain a 1-0 advantage through the end of the first with a quick save made by MacDonald that robbed Cody Hodgson on a clean breakaway.

Macro Rosa put the Moose on the board with a pass off the draw to Lee Sweatt, who netted a goal unseen by MacDonald from the right point at 7:48 in the second. With the game tied, tempers flared and punches were thrown between Griffins rookie Brendan Smith and the Moose’s Tom Maxwell.

The fight ignited Grand Rapids as quickly after Ilari Filppula tallied his first North American goal on a pass from Jan Mursak at 13:29, giving the Griffins a 2-1 at the end of the second frame.

At 3:51 of the third, Manitoba tied the game 2-2 after a turnover at the blue line was picked up by Stefan Schneider who fired a shot top shelf for an unassisted goal.

Grand Rapids regained the lead at 12:43 of the third period which proved to be the game-winning goal. Tomas Tatar sent a pass to Smith, who pushed the Griffins ahead 3-2 with a goal that slithered through the pads of Weiman, who finshed with 23 saves.

Three Stars: 1. GR Smith (GW goal); 2. GR Filppula (1 goal); 3. MTB Schneider (1 goal)