Monday, October 26, 2009

Moose Goalies Shine vs. Chicago and Milwaukee

On Friday night the Moose were in Chicago to take on the Wolves. Chris Chelios made his debut for Chicago but it was Cory Schneider and Manny Legace who stole the show. Schneider, who made 24 saves, and Legace, who made 31, did not allow a goal in all three periods and overtime. This game was one of those rare instances where both goalies get a shutout even though one takes the loss. As the game entered a shootout it was apparent that both goalies were ready to face all comers. Both made a couple of great saves in the competition but it was Schneider who made one more than Legace as the Moose scored twice in the shootout (Mike Keane and Matt Pettinger) while the Wolves could only beat Schneider once (Tim Stapleton). The Moose have now defeated Chicago all three times they have faced off this season.

The next night, Saturday, the Moose closed their six game road trip in Milwaukee to take on the Admirals. Darren Machesney got the start in goal for the Moose and did all he could to earn a victory. Manitoba fell short, falling 3-2 in OT, to no fault of Machesney. He made 35 saves in the loss. The Moose got goals from Brian Salcido, his first of the season, and Sergei Shirokov, his fourth. Manitoba played very well early, out shooting Milwaukee 13-6 in the first. The effects of playing the night before started to show however as Milwaukee took over and out shot the Moose 32-14 over the last two periods and OT. Manitoba only managed 3 shots in the entire third period and had none in overtime making it even harder to blame Machesney who was turning away everything he could. He definitely earned the single point for the Moose as they finished their road trip 3-2-1.

Manitoba heads home for a well deserved break before back to back home games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Thursday the 29th and Friday the 30th of October.

Check back later in the week for Player of the Week/Transactions/Players to Watch as well as a look ahead to the series with the Penguins.

For all the latest news follow us on twitter @moosehockeyblog.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Player of the Week/Transactions/Players to Watch

Player of the Week

Marty Murray




Marty Murray had a very good week for the Moose registering a point in each of the 4 games played. With 1 goal and 3 assists Murray showed why Scott Arniel put him on the top line with Sergei Shirokov and Matt Pettinger.


Transactions

oct.17 - Vancouver Canucks recall Alexandre Bolduc

After a 5-3 loss to the Calgary Flames the Vancouver Canucks could see they were lacking more than the missing scoring of Daniel Sedin. They were lacking speed and energy. Bolduc provides both of those in spades, as well as a compete level that never seems to drop. Although he will not put the puck in the net consistently he will create space for linemates Kyle Wellwood and Steve Bernier which is equaly important as Wellwood has been off to a slow start offensively.

Players to Watch

Cory Schneider


Schneider is coming off a great week in which he went 2-1 and single handedly won a game against the Hamilton Bulldogs. After a shaky training camp in Vancouver many wondered whether or not another season in Manitoba would hamper his development. If his start so far is any indication he is doing just fine. Look for him to continue his strong play as the Moose visit Chicago and Milwaukee.


Matt Pettinger

Since his return to the Moose this past week Pettinger has been playing on the top line with Marty Murray and Sergei Shirokov. Pettinger is also being used on the Power Play and has put up 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 3 games. Look for his production to continue as he is being given ample opportunity to try and work his way back to the NHL.







You can watch the Moose take on the Chicago Wolves for free tomorrow on http://www.theahl.com/. This game will mark the debut of Chris Chelios as a member of the Wolves. Puck drop at 6:30 PST.

Check back on Monday for recaps of the Moose as they take on the Chicago Wolves on Friday and the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @moosehockeyblog.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Moose take 1 of 2 in Hamilton

Game 1 in Hamilton saw Cory Schneider shine as he made 31 saves en route to a 2-1 victory for the Moose over the Bulldogs. Schneider was great early and often as he made some key saves on a Bulldogs power play only seconds into the game and stopped Ryan White on a penalty shot midway through the first. Shortly after the penalty shot the Moose took consecutive penalties which set up a 5 on 3 for Hamilton. Unable to score the Bulldogs peppered Schneider with 10 shots in that two man advantage. At the conclusion of the second period the score was still 0-0 with the Bulldogs out shooting the Moose 21-10.
Seven minutes into the third Schneiders hard work paid off as Sergei Shirokov sniped a shot from the face off circle over Curtis Sanford's glove to give Manitoba a 1-0 advantage. Matt Pettinger and Marty Murray drew the assists. Mere moments after the Moose tally the Bulldogs got even with a beautiful goal by Ryan Russell who took advantage of a great tic-tac-toe passing play and slid the puck under Schneider. As the game drew to a close Schneider made several outstanding saves to keep it notched at 1 and force overtime.
In overtime both clubs came out with a purpose looking to end it early. After some back to back action with some great opportunities at both ends Nolan Baumgartner finally ended the game. His shot was initially stopped by Sanford, but he fell backwards and as he did took the puck into the net with him. Assists go to Mario Bliznak and Guillame Desbiens.
Baumgartner earned first star credits for his goal as well as his solid job on the Penalty Kill while Cory Schneider drew second star in a first star effort.

In Game 2 Hamilton came out flying and scored only 23 seconds into the game. Mathieu Darche showed great patience and hand-eye co-ordination as he batted the puck out of mid-air past Cory Schneider to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Just over 3 minutes later, however, Manitoba would get even as Matt Pettinger batted in a rebound on the Power Play to tie the game at 1. Sergei Shirokov and Marty Murray drew helpers on the play. Less than 3 minutes after that Hamilton pulled ahead for good as Ryan White scored to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead, one they would not look back on.
Darche would score again in the second to extend the lead to 3-1. The shots at this point were 18-8 Bulldogs and for a second game in a row they were throwing everything they could at Schneider. It would serve to pay off as Tommy Pyatt would score on a Power Play with 35 seconds remaining to serve the final score 4-1 Hamilton. Manitoba would end up being out shot 29-15 in the game and on back to back nights could thank their goaltender for not being blown out.

The Moose will now have two days off before games in Chicago on Friday and Milwaukee on Saturday. Many people are looking forward to Friday as it marks the debut of Chris Chelios as a member of the Chicago Wolves. The 47 year old recently signed with the AHL club which plays in his hometown and is eager to make his debut. NOTE: All can watch this game FREE as the AHL is offering a free preview of their online game center service. Simply visit www.theAHL.com on Friday and check out the Moose take on Chelios on the Wolves, as well as any other AHL game on that night for free.
On Saturday the Moose end their road trip in Milwaukee to take on one of the two teams named the Admirals in the AHL (Norfolk). I was personally looking forward to this game as I would be able to see one of my favourite Canucks in Dave Scatchard play. This will not take place as Scatchard has been re-called by the Nashville Predators. Hopefully he sticks in the NHL as he continues his comeback bid.

Check back tomorrow for the weekly Thursday edition of Players of the Week, Transactions, and Players to Watch.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to follow us on twitter @moosehockeyblog.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Moose Split Back to Back

The Manitoba Moose headed into Lake Erie looking to take advantage of a Monsters team that was in the basement of the AHL.



In game 1 on Friday they did not start the way they would have liked, but quickly turned that around to pull out a 3-2 victory. After surrendering the first goal of the game the Moose scored three in a row and held on for the victory. Eric Walsky scored the first goal of the night, his first goal as a pro, to tie the game at one only two minutes after the Monsters had taken a 1-0 lead. Walsky's strong play would continue as he would take a feed from Mike Funk and wire a shot which was deflected home by Marty Murray. Just a few minutes later, the ageless wonder Mike Keane netted his fourth goal of the season to put the Moose up 3-1, a lead they would not look back on. The Schneider Show then took over as the last minute of play was frantic with the Monsters having a 6 on 4 advantage (Funk in the box) but not able to find a hole in the Moose net minder. Schneider make 26 saves in total to preserve a 3-2 victory and a good start to the 6 game road trip.



In game 2 the Moose not only did not start the way they wanted to, they did not start at all. The Monsters struck early and often on their way to a 5-2 victory. Chris Durno and Ryan Stoa scored 30 seconds apart to give the Monsters a quick 2-0 lead only 5 minutes into the contest. Shortly after a perfect penalty kill by the Moose Matt Pettinger scored his first since his return to the club. It wasn't pretty, a rebound going off his skate and in, but it was just what Manitoba needed to get back into the game. Eric Walsky picked up a helper on the goal, his third point in two games, while the other assist was credited to Nathan McIver. In the second period Pettinger took a high-sticking penalty to put the Moose down two men and Stoa capitalized with his second goal of the game putting Lake Erie back up on top 3-1. Durno then took advantage of a Moose giveaway to score his second of the game and put the Monsters up 4-1. Manitoba tried to make a game of it with Desbiens scoring on the power play from Marty Murray and Evan Oberg to bring the score to 4-2. With this PP goal the Moose have now scored on the PP in six straight games. Darren Haydar would score in the third to make it 5-2 Monsters which would end up being the final.



Next Up for Manitoba is a back to back series with the Hamilton Bulldogs starting tomorrow. Hamilton is undefeated in regulation thus far with a record of 3-0-1 with their only loss coming via shootout. The Bulldogs are led by a few familiar names. Marc-Andre Bergeron, getting back into playing shape as he was signed late and missed training camp, leads the team with 6 points, all assists, in only 3 games. Better than the points is his +6 rating which the Canadiens are sure to be pleased with as the criticism on Bergeron has always been his size and inability to play down low in his own zone. Sergei Kostitsyn, who initially refused his assignment to Hamilton, has 2 goals and 2 assists in only 3 games and Tommy Pyatt, younger brother of former Canuck Taylor, has 3 points in 4 games. The Moose will also run into Curtis Sanford, who played for the team briefly last season. He currently is 2-0-1 with 1 shutout, a .944 save percentage and a very clean 1.62 GAA. He has only allowed 5 goals in the 3 games he has played thus far.

Check back in a couple of days for the recap of the series with the Bulldogs, a look ahead to the end of the road trip in Chicago to take on the Wolves and Milwaukee to face the Admirals, as well as the Player of the Week, Transactions, and Who to Watch. And don't forget to follow us on twitter @moosehockeyblog.