Manitoba Moose

Ahoy Moose fans,

Just waiting for Game 3 between Houston and Manitoba to begin. It’s the first time the Aeros have been home since Game 5 of the second round – a four-game road trip for them.

FIRST PERIOD

The Aeros trot out their anthem singer and while I only catch the American anthem, let’s just say that Simon Cowell’s probably not a fan. The most curious part of it though is that she doesn’t seem to be on the ice, but positioned in front of some empty seats. Are they worried her singing could make ice melt?

The Aeros pull out a “Name that Aero” promotion during a break. The Griffins did something similar, and I had no idea who these guys were. But this time, the first clue is his birthday is July 7, 1966. Kevin Constantine? But seriously, I have early-90s hockey cards of Tony Hrkac…and he has two fewer Cups than our grizzled old dude (though they won one together in Dallas).

Houston has a promotion sponsored by Bayou City Wings. Without knowing anything else about the restaurant, I want to go there. It could be a rat-infested hole-in-the-wall (but I doubt it), but I’d still love some Bayou City Wings.

About halfway through the period, Michael Grabner burns past former Moose Tomas Mojzis, but can’t beat giant Nolan Schaefer, who really didn’t give him much to shoot at.

The Aeros are 0-2 in the Calder Cup. The Windsor Spitfires are 0-2 in the Memorial Cup. Which snarling airplane will be the first to record a win?

End to end action as Schneider makes a blocker save, and the Moose burn it back up to test Schaefer. This is what I was expecting a little more of over the weekend.

Holy! Mike Keane is able to tap one out of the air on some batting practice from Mario Bliznak. Guillaume Desbiens gets the other assist and it’s 1-0 Moose.

SECOND PERIOD

Bolduc rips a wrist shot past Schaefer for his second short-handed goal of the playoffs to put the Moose up 2-0.

The unfortunately-named Mitch Love (30 PIM despite missing the first two games of this series) takes a slashing call as he gives Schneider the gears after a whistle. Interesting call by the announcer: Mitch Love, two minutes for slashing occurring at 4:06. I just enjoy the use of “occurring”.

Bolduc is looking like a world-beater tonight, racing past an Aeros defenseman but unable to beat Schaefer.

Haha, the assistant captain of the Aero Dynamics dance team his a little embroidered “A” on the left side of her top. Cute. Didn’t see the captain, though.

The Aeros zip to within one as Krys Kolanos fires one just seven seconds into a Mark Fistric penalty. Matt Beaudoin tips it in. Aeros are now 1-3 on the power play, so they’re maintaining their playoff rate at home. 2-1 Moose.

But the Moose look like they were just giving the Aeros a little bit of hope as the top line charges right back up. Jason Krog drops for Jason Jaffray who goes cross-ice for Michael Grabner. The Aeros looked pretty much powerless to stop them as Grabner gets his third goal in two games and it’s 3-1 Moose. Krog’s involved in so many goals, he doesn’t hug anymore, just does the fist-bump.

THIRD PERIOD

The Aeros open the frame quickly as Corey Locke deflects a Rosa shot past Schneider, and keep pressing as they hit a post just seconds later. Hold onto your hats ladies and gents.

Nolan Baumgartner takes down Robbie Earl, and Houston takes momentum into a two-minute power play. Matt Beaudoin takes a cross-crease pass, but Schneider matches him and makes a fantastic save to protect the Moose lead.

The audio isn’t great on AHL Live for Houston’s in-game promos, but it looks like there’s a contest to write something negative about the Moose on someone’s forehead. So that’s what they do for fun.

The Aeros tie it shorthanded with Benoit Pouliot in the box. Danny Irmen pulls a puck out of the corner and heads to Schneider uncontested and jams one in. Reminds me of the Bolduc shorty against Grand Rapids, except that one didn’t anger me. 3-3 game, and the first time Schneider’s allowed three goals in a game since Game 1 of the Toronto series. Can they please get the Houston announcer to do the R-r-roll up the rim to win commercials? He sure rolls his r’s on Marrrrrco Rrrrrosa.

Wow, so Houston shows replays of Bolduc hitting Kolanos while the game is still in progress. Well, it’s okay when they’re trying to convince the ref to call a penalty.

Michael Grabner is heating up again as he rips a wrist shot up over Nolan Schaefer with under four minutes to go. I expect a rocky ride in.

We can take it on Wednesday, and the Moose would be riding an aeroplane back to Winnipeg on Thursday.