Griffins lose early lead, pull out OT win

Eric Manlow’s goal 6:38 into overtime gave Grand Rapids a 5-4 victory over host Manitoba in Game 3 of the North Division Final on Tuesday night.

The Griffins take a 2-1 series lead into Thursday’s Game 4 at the MTS Centre.

Manlow, Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula each recorded a goal and an assist for Grand Rapids, which raced out to a 3-0 lead less than five minutes into the game but could not hold on in regulation.

The Griffins’ three goals on their first three shots chased Wade Flaherty at the 4:48 mark. Maxime Ouellet faced just two shots the rest of the way in the first period, and Flaherty was back between the pipes to start the second.

Matt Ellis and Donald MacLean also scored for Grand Rapids, and Jimmy Howard finished with 29 saves.

Jason Jaffray and Alexandre Burrows tallied a goal and an assist each for the Moose.