MANITOBA 3, SYRACUSE 1
Rookie Michael Grabner (pictured) tallied the game-winning goal and added an assist as Manitoba downed visiting Syracuse by a 3-1 final before 6,370 fans on Thursday at the MTS Centre.
Alexandre Bolduc also had a goal and a helper for the Moose, who ended a six-game losing skid and regained sole possession of second place in the North Division race.
Syracuse’s Joakim Lindstrom gave the Crunch the initial lead with a power play goal at 10:42.
Lindstrom extended his scoring streak to four games (3-3-6), and he now has three goals and five points in two games against Manitoba this season.
Moose winger Jason Jaffray responded just 58 seconds later with a power play tally of his own, and Grabner gave Manitoba the lead for good at 3:38 of the second period.
Bolduc provided insurance midway through the third stanza, notching his 10th goal of the season.
Manitoba goaltender Drew MacIntyre picked up the victory with 18 saves, while Syracuse’s Adam Munro stopped 26 shots in the losing effort.
The teams will hit the MTS Centre ice for a rematch on Friday night.
