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Mazur leads Griffins over Moose 4-2
Griffins take 2-1 series lead...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
May 6, 2026
After trading shutouts in the first two games of the series, the Griffins offense got untracked in Game 3 as they roared out to a 4-2 win. Carter Mazur led the way with a pair of goals including the game-winner, while veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson added a goal and an assist. Speedy Jakub Rychlovsky opened the scoring for Grand Rapids midway through the first as the Griffins carried play for large chunks of the game. Michal Postave had another standout game stopping 15 of 17, though he didn't see as many high-quality scoring chances as in previous games.
First Period
The Griffins were ready to play from the opening faceoff, displaying energy and a physicality that hasn't been apparent until later in games recently. GR with a steal and Eddie Tralmaks had a good scoring chance from the side of the net. The Moose look frustrated early as the home team does a great job of keeping the puck deep and working the cycle. This created several quality scoring chances and good time of possession in the offensive zone. Midway through the period, the moose were called for a delayed penalty and Postava headed to the bench for an extra skater. The Griffins kept possession and Antti Tuomisto took a great pass from Gustafsson at the point and let a low, heavy shot go. Divincentiis made the initial stop, but Rychlovsky snuck in and jammed the rebound back into the net from right in front to give GR a 1-0 lead. The Moose had a good chance to tie things up towards the end of the period. There was a scramble in front of Postava, and he had to be sharp on a couple of chances close in to preserve the lead. Shots on Goal: GR 11 - Man 6.
Second Period
Manitoba started the second with a couple of dangerous chances in front, but Postava made the first stop and then dove and smothered the rebound shot. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard in the middle of all the scrums, really getting under the Moose's skin. Less than five minutes in, John Leonard pulled the defenders to him and found Gustafsson open at the point. The veteran rearguard let a shot go that passed through traffic and then just trickled in through DiVincentiis to push the lead to 2-0. Nice cycle by the third line who had great pressure and gave the Mosse fits. MBN smoked the last man back for Manitoba and stole the puck leading to a couple of grade-A scoring chances.
Wojciech Stachowiak was whistled off on a weak tripping call, but the Griffins penalty killers not only killed off the penalty but outshot the Moose while doing it. Shortly thereafter, another weak call on Tralmaks put the Griffins down a man yet again. Postava made a huge save and then Shine and Dries went the other way on a shorthanded two-on-one. DiVincentiis coyly strayed out of his net to interfere with a Griffins player around the net and lost his glove in the process. To return the favor, the player then subtly stickhandled the glove into the circle and far away from the net. Tralmaks using his size and battling in the scrums - strong physical play. Carter Mazur in the slot, batted a clearing attempt out of the air and then went bar-down scoring over DiVincentiis for a 3-0 lead. Manitoba won a battle in the corner as Gustafsson blew a tire, two quick passes later, Shaw scored to put the Moose on the board with just 38 seconds remaining. Shots on goal: GR 8 - Man 4.
Third Period
Sheldon Dries knocked a Moose player flying with a brutal open ice hit. Amadeus Lombardi with a good chance in front off the rebound of a Mazur shot. Lombardi with speed circled behind the net and came out for a wraparound chance. Postava went behind the net to play the puck and got caught, but his team bailed him out until he got back. Grand Rapids just peppering DiVincentiis with shots. Tuomisto was attacked by Di Giuseppe, but somehow ended up in the box, creating a 4-on-4. DiVincentiis went to the bench for an extra attacker and 6 seconds later Fagemo scored to cut the lead to one. The next deep possession for the Moose, DiVincentiis went to the bench again for a 5-on-4. Postava came up huge during a scramble in front. The penalties expired by the Moose netminder stayed on the bench. Dries blocked a shot and fed Mazur for a chance at the open net. Mazur beat his man and scored into the empty cage to restore a two-goal lead. That essentially put the game away as the Griffins controlled the last 46 seconds. Shots on Goal: GR 13 - Man 7. For the Game: GR 32 - Man 17.
Starting Lines:
#81 Rychlovsky - #49 Stachowiak - #34 Tralmaks
#19 Leonard - #15 Dries - #65 Shine
#28 Brandsegg-Nygard - #93 Lombardi - #43 Mazur
#47 Doucet - #11 Seger - #77 Angle
Pairs:
#22 Wallinder - #23 Johansson
#56 Gustafsson - #4 Tuomisto
#37 Lagesson - #44 Sandin-Pelikka
Goaltenders:
Starter: #35 Postava
Backup: #33 Cossa
Scratches:
#8 Buium
#12 Draper
#16 Kiiskinen
#25 Becher
#26 James
#29 Danielson (Injured)
#30 Augustine
#38 Dower-Nilsson
#41 Kannok Leipert
#51 Watson
#55 Genborg (injured)
Power Play:
No GR Powerplays
Penalty Kill:
#15 Dries - #65 Shine
#37 Lagesson - #4 Tuomisto
#19 Leonard - #11 Seger
#22 Wallinder - #23 Johansson
Observations:
Another strong outing from Postava who has staked his claim on the Griffins crease for the postseason. He looks so calm and composed, and you could see how frustrated the Manitoba shooters were at his ability to find the puck through traffic.
Anton Johansson tied for the team lead in shots on goal with 5 but was an irritating physical presence the whole game. His ability to move the puck on offense and his sandpaper defense made him extremely noticeable all night. A shout out also goes to the entire defense, William Wallinder looked solid paired with Johansson, Gustafsson and Tuomisto moved the puck well and drove a lot of offense, and Lagesson played hard in tough minutes killing penalties and covering for Axel Sandin-Pelikka offensive forays.
Mazur's two goals notwithstanding, MBN and Sheldon Dries were maybe two of the highest impact forwards on the night. They were involved physically, with some punishing hits, and battled all night.
The move to substitute Alexandre Doucet and Tyler Angle for Austin Watson and the injured Eddie Genborg has worked out well. Both players have brought speed and energy on the 4th line and have also killed penalties at times.
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