WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Moose (10-17-4) squeaked past the Grand Rapids Griffins (19-11-1) 2-1 at MTS Centre on Tuesday thanks to Patrice Cormier’s sixth goal of the season.
Cormier tapped in a John Albert feed just past the midway mark of the third period. The goal marks Cormier’s second in his last three games. Matt Halischuk also had an assist on the play.
Chase De Leo opened the scoring with 28 seconds remaining in the first period with his team leading ninth goal of the season. De Leo re-directed a JC Lipon pass to the back of the net with the Moose on a two-man advantage. One of the Grand Rapids penalties was sparked from a Josh Morrissey hit on Xavier Ouellet. Griffins forward Andy Miele retaliated after Morrissey plowed Ouellet into the boards, earning him a two-minute minor for roughing.
Manitoba’s 1-0 lead stood until 15:53 into the second period when former Winnipeg Jet Eric Tangradi scored the equalizer on a power play. Grand Rapids had a chance earlier in the frame to tie things up but Jeff Hoggan couldn’t beat Moose goalie Eric Comrie on a breakaway. Comrie finished the night with 37 saves for his eighth win of the season.
Moose forward Nic Petan was a healthy scratch against the Griffins for disciplinary reasons after he was late for the morning skate.
The Moose play their fourth game in a week on Friday night when they welcome the Toronto Marlies to Winnipeg for the first of back-to-back matches.
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