Hockey roundup: Sandin-Pellikka scores highlight-reel goal; MSU adds assistant coach

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka scored a highlight-reel, power-play goal in the Grand Rapids Griffins' series-clinching 5-2 victory over the Manitoba Moose on Friday in Game 4 of the Central Division semifinal at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Sandin-Pellikka took the puck at center ice and split the Manitoba defense for a second-period goal to give the Griffins a 2-1 lead.

Carter Mazur added two goals and one assist and goalie Michal Postava stopped 19-of-21 shots for this third straight victory for Grand Rapids.

The Griffins will open the Central Division best-of-five final against the Chicago Wolves at home with games on Thursday, May 14 and Saturday, May 16.

Games 3 and 4 are scheduled for Chicago on May 19 and May 21, if necessary. A fifth game, if necessary, would be back in Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 23.

Grand Rapids defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka celebrates his highlight-reel goal against Manitoba in Game 4 of the Central Division semifinal in Grand Rapids.

MSU adds assistant coach Contois

Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale announced the addition of Andy Contois as assistant coach on Friday.

Contois, who was a teammate of Nightingale's with Lake Superior State in 2001-02, was an assistant coach the last two years with the Northern Michigan Wildcats under head coach Dave Shyiak.

Contois played four years at Northern Michigan, recording 97 points in 131 games, leading the Wildcats in goals during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.

Prior to his return to NMU, Contois spent three seasons as associate head coach of the Youngstown Phantoms, where he coached 20 NHL draft picks and helped the Phantoms to the organization’s first Clark Cup title in 2022-23. Youngstown posted a 100-61-16-9 record over his three years on staff.