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Cossa's Shutout Extends Griffins Winning Streak to 5
Nate Danielson returns to lineup...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
October 24th, 2025
Ace netminder Sebastian Cossa kept up his hot hand, making 30 saves to hand the visiting Manitoba Moose their third straight loss at Van Andel arena. The win propelled the Griffins to a franchise record tying start to the season with a 5-0 record. The shutout firmly put Cossa amongst the league leaders in wins (3), GAA (1.67) and Save Percentage (.943). John Leonard led the way on offense, adding a pair of goals (4,5) and an assist. Dominic Shine and William Lagesson added singles, while center Nate Danielson notched a pair of assists in his first game of the season, after being assigned by Detroit (NHL).
First Period
Sebastian Cossa wandered out of the net and lost the puck, then had to scramble to back on his knees to make the stop. The Griffins had a great scoring chance with Amadeus Lombardi on the doorstep for a point-blank chance that DiVincentiis got a piece of. The Moose didn't get their first shot on goal until after the eight-minute mark of the period as the Griffins held a 7-0 shot advantage at that point. Ian Mitchell with a good defensive play to glove the puck out of the air and break up a potential 2-on-1. John Leonard had several good chances in front on the powerplay. Great play by Lagesson to stick his foot out and kick the puck away to break up a zone entry.
Shots on goal: GR 9 - Man 8.
Second Period
Less than a minute into the period, Leonard, in the circle, took a nice pass from Danielson and put a low shot into the net, stick-side. Big scrum in front of Cossa, Antti Tuomisto really giving it to a Moose forward who strayed too close. Moose with a great scoring chance, but Ondrej Becher sacrificed the body to block a big shot. Good pressure on the forecheck by Angle and Tralmaks penning the Moose behind the net in their own zone. Lombardi pounced on a rebound at the edge of the paint and buried it to run the score to 2-0, but it was waived off. Not deterred, Dominic Shine to the side of the net roofed a shot, high glove side to extend the lead. Right off the next faceoff, Lagesson streaked in and wired a shot past DiVincentiis, stick side, to make it 3-0. Delayed penalty on grand Rapids lasts a long time as they can’t get the touch. Finally, they do and the PK does a great job of killing off the Wallinder penalty.
Shots on goal: GR 7 - Man 14.
Third Period
Becher took a penalty, but the Moose end up in the box 40 seconds later to make it a 4-on-4. Grand Rapids getting sloppy as a too many men on the ice penalty gives the Moose a 5-on-3. Huge stop by Cossa on a drive from the slot! Shine and Leonard with a 2-on-1 just as the penalty expires. Shine with a perfect pass to Leonard at the corner of the crease and he chipped it in high for a 4-0 lead. Doucet was cheap shotted right in front of the players bench which setup a fight. Kannok Leipert and Empey dropped the gloves at center ice in a spirited bout. Both players were landing punches until they tired and were separated.
Shots on Goal: GR 8 - Man 8. For the Game: GR 24 - Man 30.
Starting Lines:
#19 Leonard - #93 Lombardi - #65 Shine
#15 Dries - #29 Nate Danielson - #43 Mazur
#47 Doucet - #11 Seger - #77 Angle
#81 Rychlovsky - #25 Becher - #34 Tralmaks
Pairings:
#37 William Lagesson - #3 Holl
#22 William Wallinder - #55 Mitchell
#41 Kannok Leipert - #4 Toumisto
Starter: #33 Cossa
Backup: #35 Postava
Scratches:
#20 Truscott
#21 Bantle
#51 Watson (Veteran Scratch)
#56 Gustafsson (Veteran Scratch)
PK:
#43 Mazur - #65 Shine
#41 Kannok Leipert - #4 Tuomisto
#29 Danielson - #19 Leonard
#22 Wallinder - #55 Mitchell
Observations:
The defense this year looks to be a huge strength. They did a great job of keeping the puck wide and making it difficult for the Moose to get set up in danger areas. It shouldn't be a surprise with the number of experienced vets on this blueline, but very noticeable in the early going of the season how good they are at dictating possession in their own end.
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