Solid Start

The AHL season is now two weeks old and the Manitoba Moose sit atop the North Division with a record of 4-2.

The Moose started the season at home playing back to back games against the Houston Aeros, AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. Manitoba took the first game 4-3 on the back of a solid performance by Cory Schneider and goals by Mike Keane, Marco Rosa (former Aero), Pierre-Cedric Labrie and Marty Murray. Mike Funk added two assists in his debut as a member of the Moose.

Houston took the second game of the back to back 4-2. Keane and Rosa both scored their second goals of the year in a losing effort while Schneider made 24 saves on 27 shots.

One week later the Moose continued their six-game home stand to open the season with back to back wins over the Chicago Wolves, AHL affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers. Game 1 marked the return of former Canucks' property in Jason Krog, Steve McCarthy and Drew MacIntyre in goal. The Moose won the decision 4-1 with strong performances from Mike Funk, Marco Rosa, Michael Grabner and newcomer Sergei Shirokov.. Funk added a goal and assist to his growing point total bringing it to 4 in 3 games (1 G 3 A). Rosa had 2 assists and was a +2. Grabner had 2 goals, was a +2, and most importantly had 8 shots. One major criticism coming out of Canucks camp was that Grabner was not getting his shot through to the net so to see him put up 8 shots is something the Canucks brass has to be pleased with. The most impressive performance came from Sergei Shirokov. Playing in his first game since being demoted from Vancouver the young Russian had a goal, an assist, was +2 and had 4 shots on goal.

The second game against the Wolves saw Moose newcomer Darren Machesney make 30 saves in his debut in a 2-1 victory. Grabner and Keane continued their strong play with a goal each (3 each on the season) with Rosa and Shirokov adding an assist each to their rapidly growing point totals.

The Moose ended their home stand with back to back games against Calgary Flames affiliate, and newcomers to the AHL, the Abbotsford Heat. Game 1 saw the Heat prevail 4-2. Schneider struggled only making 15 saves on 19 shots while Leland Irving of the Heat showed why he is a top notch goalie prospect making 28 saves. Grabner scored again for the Moose, bringing his goal total to 4 while also adding an assist and 5 shots. Mario Bliznak had the other goal in the loss, his first of the season. Noteworthy is the game winning goal which was scored by former Canuck/Moose Jason Jaffray who is now property of the Calgary Flames.

The second game was the opposite of game 1 with 8 goals being scored in total and the Moose pulling out a thrilling 5-4 victory in a shootout. Moose had goals from Marco Rosa, Shirokov, Guillaume Desbiens and Bliznak, his second of the year in as many games. Rosa and Desbiens both scored in the shootout, with Desbiens being the game winner.

Next up for the Moose is a 6 game road trip starting tomorrow in Lake Erie against the Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. The Monsters are off to a 1-3 start which was to be expected. With the Avalanche undergoing a transition/re-building phase, many of the past stars from the Monsters have been called upon to play in the NHL. Thus far only 10 players have recorded at least a point in the Monsters 4 games. Scoring is going to be an issue for the Monsters this year and the Moose need to capitalize early to prevent Lake Erie from getting a lead and shutting it down defensively.

Check back in a few days for recaps of the two game against the Monsters as well as previews of games against the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens).