Manitoba Moose

As I’m sure you already know, the AHL All-Star Classic was last night. And after a very folksy set of national anthems, the best game of shinny got underway. In a game entirely void of defence, backchecking, and physical effort of any kind, it is truly the skills that are showcased. It is in the All-Star game that we see the niftiest passes, the most dazzling dekes, sharp shots, and superb saves that the best in the AHL are capable of.

And perhaps I’m a bit biased, but I thought the best display of skills was from a couple of Moose players. 

Right-winger Sergei Shirokov represented the Moose on team PlanetUSA and chipped in two goals on two shots, both in the first period. Sergei was one of only three players to notch two goals on the night, and could have been awarded the “Niftiest play not to result in a goal” award as he passed the puck into his own feet and kicked it across the crease on a two-on-one. The play was tricky enough to fool the goaltender, Jonathan Bernier, but also his PlanetUSA teammate.

Veteran Moose defenceman Nolan Baumgartner isn’t typically known as the most skilled player on the ice, but he certainly showed off his chops on the ice in Portland Tuesday night. Nolan was selected as team captain for Team Canada at this year’s all-star game, and in a game made up mostly of young, developing hockey stars, managed to hold his own. Baumgartner scored a goal, and added an assist early in the second period, leading all all-star defencemen with 2 points, and paving the way for a Team Canada shootout victory. He also led the game in plus/minus with a +3, an incredible feat in a game where defence is non-existant.

So in a game that is entirely based on skill, it was the Moose that shone proving what quality players we have in our organization.