Grand Rapids Start Season 3-0 For the First Time Since 2016-17
Photo Credit: Nicolas Carrillo
Manitoba Moose (2) at Grand Rapids Griffins (5)
Griffins Lines
Carter Mazur - Sheldon Dries - Dominik Shine
Tyler Angle - Amadeus Lombardi - Austin Watson
Eduards Tralmaks - Ondrej Becher - Jakub Rychlovsky
Carson Bantle - Gabriel Seger - Alex Doucet
Griffins Pairings
Erik Gustafsson - Antti Tuomisto
William Wallinder - Alex Kannok-Leipert
William Lagesson - Ian Mitchell
Over 9,500 fans piled into Van Andel Arena to wildly cheer on the Grand Rapids Griffins as they took down the Manitoba Moose, 5-2, in their home opener. Fan favorite Sebastian Cossa started between the pipes, stopping 21 of the 23 shots the Moose threw on net.
Speaking of Cossa, a little over seven minutes into the game, the 6’7” netminder made a huge save by sealing up the post with his leg and glove. This save allowed Tyler Angle to break away from the pack before finding Austin Watson in the middle of the slot. Once Watson received the puck on his stick, it was immediately shot past Manitoba’s goalie, Domenic DiVincentiis.
Due to a defensive breakdown where William Wallinder was out of place, Manitoba’s Samuel Fagemo was able to score 45 seconds later to tie the game at one.
It appeared momentum was starting to shift the Moose’s way when they headed to the power play 8:50 into the first. However, the Griffins’ penalty kill has been running smoothly, and 24 seconds into their penalty kill, Sheldon Dries scored to give Grand Rapids a 2-1 lead. Thanks to a beautiful show of defense by Dominik Shine, Dries was able to break away from the pack. If Shine didn’t chase down the pass he deflected in the Griffins’ defensive zone, the shorthanded goal never would have come to fruition.
With 6:06 to play in the opening period, Shine received a cross-ice pass through traffic from Carter Mazur that allowed him to launch the puck in the top corner of the net for the 3-1 lead.
Manitoba finally solved Grand Rapids’ penalty kill 5:44 into the second when Danny Zhilkin found the back of the net. This goal only happened because David Gustafsson was able to place himself between the net and Wallinder, creating a screen that Cossa had no hope of seeing around.
Alex Doucet increased the Griffins’ lead, 4-2, with 6:44 to play in the game when he rebounded Angle’s shot behind DiVincentiis. Angle’s shot put DiVincentiis out of place just enough for Doucet to score.
With 4:28 to play in the game, Mazur confidently skated between three members of the Moose before finding the back of the net, helping seal the deal on a Griffins’ 5-2 win.
But Wait! There’s More!
Special Teams
Power Play
The Griffins had one power play all night, and it wasn’t the best power play we’ve seen this season. Unit one consisting of Amadeus Lombardi, Erik Gustafsson, Ian Mitchell, Dries, and Mazur kept shooting wide of the net, but they continually attacked the net causing DiVincentiis a lot of stress. Unit two consisting of Eduards Tralmaks, Ondrej Becher, Watson, Shine, and Wallinder was sloppy and played frantic hockey.
It’s only game three, and the lineup is going to be different every night due to two veterans having to sit each night. So, it’s nothing to be concerned about quite yet.
Penalty Kill
Over the past three games, there have been multiple shorthanded breakaways by the Griffins. Last night, Dries was able to convert one into a goal. According to Dries, Assistant Coach Brian Lashoff has the team practicing plays for the kill two to three times a week. “It’s a new system that we’re working on, and working out the kinks still,” said Dries. “But, we have a lot of competitors on this team. When you get chances like that on the pkk when the power play isn’t expecting it, we’ll take them.”
Notes and Quotes
This is the sixth time in franchise history that the Griffins have started the season 3-0. The other five times are: 2016-17 (second Calder Cup), 2007-08, 2005-06 (AHL regular-season title), 2004-05 (on the way to a franchise-record 5-0 start), and 2000-01 (IHL regular-season title).
The Griffins were really good in the corners and along the boards last night. They dug out pucks and won battles in the corners, and utilized the boards well to move the puck up ice.
Gabriel Seger was an absolute menace to DiVincentiis by sitting in the crease and constantly screening him. It’s been a nice addition to his toolbox this season.
Manitoba spent the bulk of the second and third period trying to get under Grand Rapids’ skin, but no one bit until towards the end of the third period when a small rumble exploded in front of Cossa. Both Texas and Manitoba have been goading Grand Rapids to fight or retaliate. Yet, the Griffins have been able to control their anger and stay focused on the task at hand. Captain Shine believes the team’s self-control comes from knowing they are a good team and don’t have to fight or be overly aggressive to get the upper hand. “We just have a really good team. We know our game, and we’re going to play it, “ said Shine. “We’re going to play hard, but we’re not going to get caught up in that stuff and put ourselves into penalty trouble.”
Wallinder struggled against Manitoba. He was constantly out of place and getting in the way of Cossa and his defensive pair, Alex Kannok-Leipert. Both of Manitoba’s goals could have been prevented if Wallinder had done his job correctly.
3 Stars
1st - Dominik Shine - Grand Rapids - 1 goal, 1 assist
2nd - Sheldon Dries - Grand Rapids - 1 goal, 0 assist
3rd - Carter Mazur - Grand Rapids - 1 goal, 1 assist
Post-Game Press Conference
You can listen to the full post-game press conference below:
What’s Next
The Griffins and Moose meet again on Saturday, October 18 at 7pm.
There will be a calendar giveaway presented by Fox Motors.
You can see the full giveaway schedule for the Griffins 2025-26 schedule here.
Also, the Detroit Red Wings are not playing on October 18. So, if you want to see your baby Wings, or some of your favorites like Austin Watson and Dominik Shine, make the drive west to the great city of Grand Rapids to watch some hockey.
You can buy tickets here.
