By Travis Kondratuk
www.moosehockey.com
For the second night in-a-row Houston netminder Deiter Kochan was the difference as he earned his first shutout of the season by blanking the Moose 2-0. Manitoba finished their season series versus the Aeros with a 1-3-0-0 record. The Moose lost consecutive games for the first time since the end of January and were shutout for the seventh time this season. Manitoba will stay home to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins for a two-game set this Friday and Saturday at the MTS Centre.
>> Click to view photos of tonight's game.
>> Click here to see official scorer's sheet
First Period
Julien Ellis will be looking for his first win with the Moose as he gets the start in goal for the home side while Dieter Kochan, after his stellar performance last night, will get the starting nod again for the Aeros.
The Aeros had the best chance to take the early lead when Chris Ovington let a rocket go from the point that clanged squarely off the right post and came straight out.
The Moose got the first chance to go to work with the man-avantage as Benoit Pouliot was sent to the box for charging at 8:12 of the first period.
The Moose had some good possession in the Aeros end on the powerplay, but could not hit the net with their shots.
Manitoba took their first penalty of the game at 12:43 when Patrick Coulombe was called for tripping. The Moose did a good in front of Julien Ellis killing off the visitor's man-advantage.
The biggest play of the period came when Mike Brown collided with Matt Foy at centre ice sending the Houston forward crashing to the ice in a heap. Aeros defenceman John Scott immediately came to the defence of his team-mate and pounded Mike Brown as he caught the Moose forward off guard. Foy was bleeding on the ice and needed to be helped off to the dressing room. Scott was given the instigator penalty for the fight and a 10:00 misconduct, but Brown was given 5:00 for fighting, 5:00 for charging and a game misconduct to leave the teams 4-on-4 for 2:00 and then giving the Aeros a 3:00 powerplay chance. The penalties came at 18:32 of the first period.
Manitoba has a 6-3 lead in shots but neither team has had many scoring chances through 20:00.
Second Period
Just as Julien Ellis was looking sharp while killing off the remainder of Mike Brown's penalty, he surrendered the opening goal of the game moments later.
Mattias Weinhandl skated out into the middle of the ice from the left-hand boards and wristed a shot that fluttered into the top corner over the blocker shoulder of Ellis. The goal came at 3:51 and was assisted on by Peter Olvecky and Erik Reitz.
Maxime Fortunus was given a 2:00 tripping penalty at 12:53 to put the Moose back on the penalty-kill. Jason Jaffray generated a nice chance shorthanded but took a couple extra whacks at the loose puck. Aeros defenceman Ryan Stokes took exception and put Jaffray in a headlock causing a scrum in behind the Houston goal. Stokes was assessed a 2:00 roughing penalty on the play giving the Moose an abbreviated powerplay.
The Moose had a ton of pressure in the Houston zone with the extra man but could not beat the Aeros netminder. Marc Chouinard almost put one in but his chance just trickled past the post as the penalty expired.
Houston were called for two many men on the ice with just 0:27 left in the period to give the Moose their fourth powerplay chance of the game.
For the second game in-a-row the Moose have been unable to beat Deiter Kochan through 40:00. The home side trails by a single goal heading to the final frame.
Third Period
The Moose appeared to connect on the powerplay as Lee Goren finally managed to get the puck past Kochan. However, referee Francois St. Laurent waived the goal off as he felt that Goren kicked the puck into the net.
Jason Jaffray made a nice tip pass to send Brad Moran in on a partial breakaway, but Ryan Stokes clamped down on the Moose centreman to prevent the scoring chance. Stokes was given a holding penalty on the play.
With the Moose on the powerplay Erik Reitz scored shorthanded for the Aeros. The Houston defenceman carried the puck across the Moose blueline and wristed a shot on goal that squeaked through the five-hole of Julien Ellis. Danny Irmen and Jason Morgan drew the assists on the shorthanded goal for the visitors at 4:44 of the third.
The Moose continued to struggle and could not beat Dieter Kochan.
Peter Olvesky was called for tripping with 2:10 left to play, and with the face-off deep in the Aeros zone Manitoba decided to pull the goalie for the 6-on-4 advantage.
Jason Jaffray took a hooking penalty with 1:14 remaining to nulify the powerplay for the Moose. Even though Manitoba regained possession and managed to get Julien Ellis out of the net, the Moose could not get near the Houston goal.
For the second night in-a-row the Moose were frustrated by the goaltending of Dieter Kochan, suffering their seventh shutout loss of the season. The Moose finished the season series with the Houston Aeros with a 1-3-0-0 record.
Moose scratches: Dov Grumet-Morris, Wade Flaherty, Prestin Ryan, Mason Raymond, Brandon Reid, Colby Genoway, Tyler Bouck
Aeros scratches: Mike Madill, Curtis Murphy, Josh Olson, Joey Tetarenko
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Global Highlights - Moose vs. Aeros - stream
| SCORING |
1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
| Houston |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Manitoba |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Mar 21, 2007 - MTS Centre FIRST PERIOD:No Scoring Penalties - B. Pouliot Hou (charging) 8:12, P. Coulombe Mtb (tripping) 12:43, J. Scott Hou (instigating, fighting, misconduct - instigating 47.10) 18:30, M. Brown Mtb (major - charging 43.3, fighting, game misconduct - charging 43.5) 18:30 SECOND PERIOD:1. Houston, M. Weinhandl (14) (P. Olvecky, E. Reitz) 3:51 Penalties - J. Ward Hou (hooking) 5:02, M. Fortunus Mtb (tripping) 12:53, R. Stokes Hou (roughing) 15:00, Served by M. Weinhandl Hou (bench minor - too many men) 19:33 THIRD PERIOD:2. Houston, E. Reitz (7) (D. Irmen, J. Morgan) 4:44 SH Penalties - R. Stokes Hou (holding) 3:39, L. Goren Mtb (tripping) 5:40, S. Belle Hou (hooking) 8:34, L. Goren Mtb (interference) 12:27, P. Olvecky Hou (tripping) 17:50, J. Jaffray Mtb (hooking) 18:46, J. Ward Hou (elbowing) 20:00
| SHOTS |
1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
| Houston |
3 |
8 |
7 |
18 |
| Manitoba |
6 |
8 |
8 |
22 |
POWER PLAYS:Houston Aeros 0-6. Manitoba Moose 0-7. GOALTENDERS:Houston Aeros Kochan 6-14-1 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 60:00 SV: 22 GA: 0 [W] Manitoba Moose Ellis 1-7-0 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 58:10 SV: 16 GA: 2 [L]
Attendance:
7431
- HOU - #5 Erik Reitz
- HOU - #31 Dieter Kochan
- HOU - #4 Shawn Belle
- The Moose take one day off before continuing their four-games-in-five-nights stretch as they play their final two games of their eight game season series versus the Grand Rapids Griffins Friday, March 23rd and Saturday March 24th at the MTS Centre.
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Updated: Mar. 21, 2007 at 10:30 PM CDT
