Manitoba Moose Goaltender DiVincentiis Stops 39 Shots in Playoff Shutout of Grand Rapids

Key facts

• Domenic DiVincentiis made 39 saves for a 1-0 shutout in Game One for Manitoba Moose.
• Grand Rapids Griffins won Game Two 2-0 to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
• Manitoba Moose posted a 2-6-0-0 record against Grand Rapids in the 2025-26 regular season.
• Grand Rapids Griffins secured a first-round bye before facing Manitoba.
• Game Two was played on Sunday, May 3 at Canada Life Centre.
• Cleveland Monsters lead Syracuse Crunch 2-1 in their series after a 4-3 overtime win.
• Toronto Marlies lead Laval Rocket 3-2 in the North Division Semifinals.
• Springfield Thunderbirds lead Providence Bruins 3-1 after a 3-1 win in Game One.

A Goaltending Duel Sets the Tone

In a postseason where every mistake can decide a game, Manitoba Moose goaltender Domenic DiVincentiis made none. He turned aside all 39 shots he faced to record a 1-0 shutout of the Grand Rapids Griffins in Game One of their best-of-seven series at Canada Life Centre. The victory gave the Moose a 1-0 series lead, but the team’s message afterward was one of restraint. DiVincentiis said they “can’t get too high right now,” emphasizing the need to keep the same approach moving forward.

Grand Rapids Evens the Series with Disciplined Play

The Griffins responded emphatically in Game Two, posting a 2-0 win on Sunday afternoon to even the series at 1-1. Discipline proved to be the difference this time, as Grand Rapids avoided the penalties that had plagued them in the opener. Mark Morrison, commenting on the team’s discipline in Game Two, said, “Those small little things mean a lot in the playoffs, and those are two penalties we really can’t take. It’s an emotional game.” The Griffins’ ability to stay out of the penalty box allowed them to control the pace and secure the shutout victory.

Regular-Season Dominance Meets Playoff Reality

The Moose entered the series as clear underdogs based on regular-season results. Manitoba posted a 2-6-0-0 record against Grand Rapids in the 2025-26 AHL regular season and were outscored by four or more goals in five of the six losses. The Griffins, who secured a first-round bye, aimed to make quick work of the Moose. However, Manitoba’s Game One win demonstrated that playoff hockey can upend regular-season trends, especially when a goaltender delivers a career-level performance.

Other Series: Cleveland, Toronto, Springfield Take Leads

Elsewhere in the AHL playoffs, the Cleveland Monsters can advance to the division finals with a win after a 4-3 overtime victory on Friday night gave them a 2-1 series lead over the Syracuse Crunch. The Toronto Marlies hold a 3-2 edge over the Laval Rocket in the North Division Semifinals; the Rocket dropped Game Two and now head on the road, averaging 2.5 goals per game in the series. The Springfield Thunderbirds lead the Providence Bruins 3-1 after a 3-1 win in Game One, averaging 2.8 goals per game in the playoffs while allowing 3.3.

What Comes Next: Maintaining Momentum and Avoiding Complacency

For the Moose, the challenge is to replicate the disciplined, clean play that earned them the shutout without letting the emotional high of Game One disrupt their focus. Manitoba will aim to “keep the game the same and clean” as they pursue a 2-0 series lead. Grand Rapids, meanwhile, will look to build on the discipline that fueled their Game Two victory. The series now shifts to a best-of-five, with the next games scheduled at Canada Life Centre.

The Stakes of a Tight Series

With the series tied 1-1, every shift carries heightened significance. The Moose have proven they can beat a team that dominated them in the regular season, but the Griffins have shown they can adjust and neutralize that advantage. The goaltending duel between DiVincentiis and Grand Rapids’ netminder will likely remain decisive. As the series progresses, the team that better manages emotion and discipline—the “small little things”—will gain the upper hand.

The bottom line

• Domenic DiVincentiis’ 39-save shutout in Game One gave Manitoba a 1-0 series lead, but Grand Rapids evened the series with a 2-0 win in Game Two.
• Discipline was the deciding factor in Game Two, with Grand Rapids avoiding penalties after taking costly ones in the opener.
• Manitoba’s regular-season record against Grand Rapids (2-6-0-0) suggests an upset is possible but far from assured.
• Cleveland, Toronto, and Springfield each hold series leads in their respective matchups.
• The series now becomes a best-of-five, with momentum and emotional control critical for both teams.