Manitoba Moose

After the Moose closed out their 40 game home schedule with two less than perfect outings against the Toronto Marlies, it made me wonder whether or not the Moose actually wanted home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. I attended the majority of the home games this season, where I saw a lot of efforts that didn't reflect a first place team. This is very puzzling because the Moose have only lost 22 games in regulation all year.

I realize there is a high level of pressure that comes with being the number one team and playing at home in front of large crowds that for the most part, greatly exceed the crowds while playing on the road, but a team of this caliber needs to be able to win on home ice. This is the year the Moose are supposed to win the Calder cup; Craig Heisinger built this team to win, and anything less will be disappointing.

As I said earlier in the season, I know for certain this team has excellent leadership in the dressing room, which will enable them to fix their "problems" (25-13-0-2) at the MTS Centre and get pumped up about playing for fans that are passionate about hockey and really care about how they do.

A team that goes into the playoffs on a hot streak already has a head start on the competition. The road to the Calder Cup doesn't officially start until April 15th - however, the remaining three games left to play are on the road, where the Moose hold an incredible record of 24-9-0-4 will go a long way in deciding the fate of the Moose this spring. Considering two of the games are against divisional opponents, who will also become playoff foes - I would say that is enough to get the ball rolling in the right direction.