Wade Flaherty made 30 saves and Manitoba withstood some third-period pressure to earn a 3-1 win over Grand Rapids in Game 1 of the North Division Finals at Van Andel Arena on Friday night.
The teams go right back at it in Game 2 on Saturday.
Rookie Mike Brown netted his first goal in 30 games to open the scoring, just over 12 minutes into the first period. Brown jumped on the rebound after the initial shot by three-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Keane to give the Moose a 1-0 lead.
Just as a penalty had expired, the Moose took a 2-0 lead when Josh Green reached around from behind the net and stuffed the puck between Jimmy Howard‘s skate and the post with 4:24 left in the first.
David Brine assisted on both first-period goals for his first two professional points.
Alexandre Burrows made it 3-0 with his fourth goal of the postseason, one-timing a pass from Jason King at the 10:10 mark of the second period.
The Griffins finally got on the board at 8:43 of the third as Eric Manlow ripped a quick wrist shot home.
Flaherty made 14 saves in the third period as the Moose withstood some late pressure and held on for their fifth win in a row.
