Griffins Secure Series Win Over Moose with Mazur and Sandin-Pellikka’s Heroics

The Grand Rapids Griffins are on the brink of capturing their third Calder Cup championship after a decisive 5-2 victory over the Manitoba Moose at Van Andel Arena. This win marks their advancement to the Central Division Finals, where they will face off against the Chicago Wolves, the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Leading the charge for the Griffins were Carter Mazur and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, both of whom delivered standout performances. Mazur, a third-round pick for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Draft, scored two goals, bringing his playoff total to four. This marks his second consecutive game with a two-goal performance, showcasing his growing impact on the ice.

Meanwhile, Sandin-Pellikka dazzled fans with a highlight-reel goal in the second period, further solidifying his place in the Griffins’ lineup. The scoring began with Eduards Tralmaks, who netted a power-play goal in the first period. Although Manitoba managed to even the score, Sandin-Pellikka quickly restored Grand Rapids’ lead, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård added another goal early in the third period.

Brandsegg-Nygård, like Sandin-Pellikka, made the Red Wings’ roster out of Training Camp but returned to the Griffins after a brief stint in the NHL. After extending the lead to 4-1, Mazur sealed the game with his second goal, finding the empty net with Manitoba’s goaltender Thomas Milic pulled for an extra attacker.

In goal, Michal Postava continued to impress during his first season in North America, making 19 saves to help secure the win. The Griffins will look to carry this momentum into Game 1 against the Wolves, scheduled for Thursday in Grand Rapids.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.