Dave Minuk

Nikolaj Ehlers with two goals in the first period of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Not too shabby.

Dylan DeMelo with the secondary assist on Canada’s go-ahead goal as they take a 2-1 lead in the first period. The play also features Mark Scheifele occupying Ville Heinola during the drive to the net.

No assist for Jets centre Mark Scheifele but he forces a turnover which led to Canada tying the semi-final game at the World Championship.

Plenty of folks throughout Manitoba cheering for Nikolaj Ehlers and Seth Jarvis as they advance to their first Stanley Cup Final.

Nikolaj Ehlers is going to the Stanley Cup Final. Seems like just yesterday he was playing in Halifax and liking tweets from Jets fans hoping Winnipeg would draft him. After giving a decade to hockey in the ’Peg, he now gets his chance at hockey immortality.

“..I think he’s the best defenceman in the Draft” Craig Button on Manitoban Carson Carels in our discussion about potential 8th overall picks for the Jets. Media: illegalcurve.com/tsns-craig-b...

“…tremendous skater. He’s got tremendous initiative in his game. He’s bold, he’s physical…He may very well be the player most ready to play in the NHL next year…” Craig Button on Alberts Šmits re potential 8th overall pick for Jets. Media: illegalcurve.com/tsns-craig-b...

“…I call him a Swedish Nick Suzuki. That’s what I think Viggo is. He just controls the game, commands the game. He’s everywhere you need to be in a game to make a difference…” Craig Button on Viggo Björck re: a potential 8th overall pick for the Jets. Media: illegalcurve.com/tsns-craig-b...

“…his game is so well rounded. He has a ruggedness to his game…I think he certainly looks like that top-pair, right-shot defencemen..” Craig Button chatting Daxon Rudolph in our discussion about potential 8th overall picks for the Jets. Media: illegalcurve.com/tsns-craig-b...

Jets winger Gabriel Vilardi showing off his hand-eye coordination, batting this puck out of the air and into the back of the net. It turned out to be the game-winner for Canada, as he finished with 1G and 1A. With the win, Canada finished first in Group B.

Over at the World Championship, Jets defenceman Ville Heinola was picking corners He fired home a pair of goals for Finland.

Former Jets prospect Leon Gawanke (2017 5th) picked up a hat trick for Germany over at the World Championship. Was surprised he left for the DEL when he did as I thought he’d get a shot in San Jose. Played 207 regular season games and 10 playoff contests in antlers for Moose.

“That’s two for number 22” Good to hear Dan Robertson with the call as Jets winger Nino Niederrieter scored a pair of goals today. Switzerland stayed perfect at the World Championship.

Jets winger Gabriel Vilardi also got on the board today at the World Championship as his familiar NHL linemate gets the primary assist (55 had a four point game). He ended the game with 1G 1A.

Jets centre Mark Scheifele had quite the game for Canada over at the World Championship. He scored three times including the OT GWG and added an assist on a Gabriel Vilardi goal. And all three were pretty, pretty, pretty nice goals.

Does this make me the ‘Turkey Whisperer’ of Winnipeg… or just a turkey?

Robert Thomas playing on a line with Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi at the World Championship.

And the two teams, which had quite the battle in this series, shake hands as the Griffins will advance and the Moose will return to Manitoba with their season over. Plenty more to come on illegalcurve.com

Manitoba pushing to get within one but Grand Rapids fires one into the empty net from long range to basically seal the deal.

Phil Di Giuseppe gets the Moose within two late in the 3rd.

Another power play goal for the Griffins as they take a commanding lead in this elimination game with the Moose.

Moose pushing but the Griffins take advantage of the turnover and turn it into a 3-1 lead off a 2 on 1.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka with a great individual effort to give the Griffins the lead back. Second power play goal for Grand Rapids this game.

The Moose got the memo in the intermission as they tie the game. Dylan Anhorn with the goal.

Good start to the middle frame for the Moose as they get an early chance.

Moose PK can’t kill the first penalty of the game as the Griffins open the scoring with this blast. 1-0 for Grand Rapids.

Moose had possession but the Griffins ability and willingness to block shots comes up big. They stop the Brad Lambert shot and put it into the empty net to take a 4-2 lead.

Don’t go anywhere as the Moose are down by one as Samuel Fagemo rips this shot home late in the 3rd. Inexplicably the broadcast was showing the penalty boxes and basically missed the goal. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Down by two and a no-look pass to the middle just about puts an end to this hockey game.

Moose with an absolutely glorious chance to get within one but even when Griffins netminder Michal Postava has a moment his teammates are there to block for him.

Griffins not sitting back as they continue to look to add to their lead.

Moose break the goose egg as Mason Shaw tips the Dylan Anhorn shot to get the visitors on the board late in the 2nd.

A turnover in the Moose end and the Griffins take a 3-0 lead.

Moose get a good chance in front on the power play but Griffins goalie Michal Postava makes the stop.

The dial up internet coming out of Grand Rapids may make this one hard to see but a tough one allowed gives the Griffins a 2-0 lead in the middle frame.

This is what the Moose need to do to be successful against the Griffins as Dylan Anhorn fires a shot on net through traffic and appears to catch the post late in the 1st.

Moose get some pressure but the Griffins do such a good job of clogging up the middle of the ice to kill these chances for Jets prospects Brayden Yager and Brad Lambert.

Grand Rapids that close to adding another goal to their total but luckily for Manitoba they put it wide of the open net.

Jets fans will recognize that shot. Nikolaj Ehlers has his first playoff goal as a member of the Hurricanes.

This view of the Manitoba Miracle goal scored by Cole Perfetti, captured by our IC photog Colby Spence, is one of my favourites. Extra bonus: he also has Adam Lowry’s double-OT series winner. One year ago today: illegalcurve.com/one-year-ago...

Not sure what the hell the officials were doing but after Brad Lambert gets punched they let more happen.

Griffins take a 2-0 lead with just over five remaining.

For every stop at one end it’s being matched at the other. Michal Postava stops PDG as he can’t quite get all of this Walker Duehr pass.

Another excellent save this afternoon from Domenic DiVincentiis.

Moose look like they have some jump to start the 3rd period with Jaret Anderson-Dolan getting this shot off. Manitoba out to a 4-0 shot edge early in the final frame.

A late 3 on 2 for the Moose goes tic-tac but no toe as they just can’t convert late to tie the game. Middle frame ends with Griffins up 1-0 and holding a 23-22 shot edge after outshooting the home team 11-8 that period.

Grand Rapids tilting the ice as they hold a 7-2 shot edge in the middle frame but Domenic DiVincentiis continues to play big.

Another fantastic save by Griffins goalie Michal Postava who keeps his team up by a goal.

Another post for the Griffins and then Walker Duehr comes up with an unexpected block.

Somehow after all the festivities to end the 1st period the only penalty called is on Moose captain Mason Shaw so Manitoba will start the 2nd period shorthanded. Grand Rapids up 1-0 after 20 with the home team holding as 14-12 shot edge.

Griffins strike on the PP after some nifty passing. Walker Duehr tripping penalty cost them. 1-0 for Grand Rapids.

Another big stop as Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis gets across to make this stop on the PK.

Grand Rapids comes close to opening the scoring but they ring it off the post.

Moose captain Mason Shaw has been buzzing in the playoffs and here he gets a great chance shorthanded but no dice.

Moose PK now 11/11 as they kill off this Ashton Sautner “high stick”.

Another good crowd on hand here in Winnipeg for the Moose.

“…for his first game in that environment, with one of the best hockey team’s in the American League, I thought he did extremely well.” Moose head coach Mark Morrison seemed quite happy with the pro debut of Jets prospect Garrett Brown. Watch: illegalcurve.com/moose-take-g...

“..If you can’t get up for these types of games then I don’t know what you’re doing..” Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis spoke about how much fun he is having in the playoffs. His 39-save shutout helped the Moose to a 1-0 series edge. Watch: illegalcurve.com/moose-take-g...

The Winnipeg crowd showed the love for Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis, who was named 1st Star of Game 1 as his club took a 1–0 lead in their 2nd round series. He made 39 saves on 39 shots. Has won 3 straight, allowing just 2 goals on 91 shots (.978 save%, 0.67 GAA).

What a hockey game. Moose win Game 1 by a final score of 1-0. Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis was phenomenal making 39 saves for his third straight win. Manitoba take a 1-0 series lead. Post-game to come on illegalcurve.com

A Moose PP goal. In this economy. The captain, Mason Shaw gives Manitoba a lead with 2:26 left in the 3rd

Some cat-like reflexes from Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis, adjusting to a deflected shot.

Flurry of chances for the Moose in the 3rd as they push hard for the opening goal of this hockey game.

Jets prospect Brad Lambert takes the hit to feed fellow prospect Brayden Yager for a breakaway chance but no dice.

Right to the end of the 2nd period the Griffins push but Moose goalie Domenic DiVincentiis will not break. Shots were 14-10 in favour of the visitors in the middle frame, are 28-15 overall. A very entertaining 0-0 Game 1 between Manitoba & Grand Rapids. Massive 3rd coming up.

Tyrel Bauer bringing the physicality on this hit lining up Eddie Genborg who was a bit sore after it.

Puck goes right to the front of the Moose net but Domenic DiVincentiis makes another stop. He’s been sensational.

The Moose will be declining all future power play opportunities. Griffins get the best chance shorthanded but Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis shuts the door.

Another fantastic save by Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis who has made 14 stops in the 1st period of Game 1 for the Moose. 0-0 after 20 minutes here in Winnipeg in an entertaining start to the second round.

What a sequence of stops by Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis on the penalty kill.

So you want be a defenceman eh. Ashton Sautner blocks the cannon and then takes a high stick at the end of the play.

Isaak Phillips makes a nice play to prevent a Griffins breakaway.

Another good chance for Manitoba who have definitely started off this game with some jump. Just handcuffs Samuel Fagemo as he attempts to bury this Danny Zhilkin rebound and then JAD also gets a shot to put home the puck.

Parker Ford (who I had as my Moose player to keep an eye on in today’s 680 CJOB pre-game show) sets up a great chance early in the game. He created this 2 on 1 getting the puck over to Phil Di Giuseppe who went for the roof job but goes a wee bit high.

Time for a pro debut as Jets prospect Garrett Brown hits the ice with his Moose teammates for Game 1 Round 2: Barlow-Ford-PDG Lambert-Yager-Wahlin Shaw-Gustafsson-Duehr JAD-Zhilkin-Fagemo Phillips-Clague Sautner-Bauer Anhorn-Brown DiVincentiis #AHL #MBMoose #NHLJets

Safe to say this Bruins fan isn’t too pleased with her team being eliminated.

“That was different. Obviously a huge difference. We felt it right away. Right from regular season to the playoffs I think they took it to another level” Jets prospect Brayden Yager credits the Winnipeg crowd for boosting the Moose in Round 1. Watch: illegalcurve.com/manitoba-moo...

Jets prospect Brayden Yager on the impact Mark Scheifele had on him when he was up in the NHL. Said that 55 was unbelievable with him. He also acknowledged impact of Josh Morrissey and Jonathan Toews. Said they spent the time to work with him. Watch: illegalcurve.com/manitoba-moo...

“I think maybe slightly but honestly not really. It’s a game I’ve been playing for a long time now so I think you can’t go into it too nervous. I think you gotta be confident…I’m just super excited..” Garrett Brown re: if he’s nervous for debut. Watch: illegalcurve.com/winnipeg-jet...

“…I think taking those years to develop gives me a lot of extra confidence coming into the game.…” Jets prospect Garrett Brown spoke about all the work he has put into his game since he was drafted ahead of making his pro debut. Watch: illegalcurve.com/winnipeg-jet...

There’ll be some NCHC synergy when Denver’s Garrett Brown & St. Cloud State’s Dylan Anhorn pair up for the Moose in Game 1 of the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs tomorrow. He spoke about how it’s made it easier for him ahead of pro debut. Watch: illegalcurve.com/manitoba-moo...

Jets prospect Garrett Brown on if he had any idea after wrapping things up at Denver that he’d be playing in the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs with Manitoba. Said you just have to stay ready if you get the chance. He will tomorrow. Watch: illegalcurve.com/manitoba-moo...

“…I’m super excited that I get the opportunity to try to step up and hopefully I can just make the most of it.” Jets prospect Garrett Brown on what’s going through his mind ahead of his pro debut on Saturday with the Moose. Watch: illegalcurve.com/manitoba-moo...

Jets prospect Garrett Brown (2022 4th) will make his pro debut with the Moose in the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs. A big opportunity for the big right-shot defenceman as Manitoba gets set to face best in the West, Grand Rapids. More to come on illegalcurve.com