Eliminated: Moose Fall in Grand Rapids as Postseason Comes to an End

The Manitoba Moose fell 5-2 to the Grand Rapids Griffins from Van Andel Arena in Michigan on Friday night, in what was the final game of Manitoba's 2025-26 season. Making it out of the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2018, the Moose ran into a tough customer, ultimately falling three games to one in the best-of-five, second round postseason series. Photo by Steve Sasaki/Game On Magazine Despite picking up a narrow 1-0 win in the opening game against the second-best team in the league, Manitoba faltered and lost the following three games, and ultimately the series.

Dylan Anhorn scored the first goal for the Moose, while Phil Di Giuseppe also potted one later in the third period. But it was nowhere near enough, as the Griffins made easy work of the 78-point Moose on the night. Manitoba turned to Thomas Milic in goal, who did not fare any better than Domenic DiVincentiis had earlier in the series.

He made 21 stops on the 25 shots he faced in the game. Three of the hosts goals came on the man advantage, to which Grand Rapids finished the night 3/4. David Gustafsson and Brayden Yager finished the postseason tied for the team lead with four points apiece, while 12 different team members recorded at least one point in the seven total playoff games.

“Very proud of this group, we've been through a lot this year, didn't matter if we were going through highs or lows," defenceman Ashton Sautner said post-game. "This group of guys was special and made it a lot of fun coming to the rink, but it's not easy losing. " Carter Mazur scored twice and added an assist for Grand Rapids, which will now move on to face the Chicago Wolves in the Central Division Final beginning on Thursday.