Manitoba Moose

They are the last line of defence, the people largely responsible for keeping the puck out of the net.

Welcome to the life of a goalie, an individual constantly on the hot seat, especially during the playoffs.

As the Manitoba Moose and Hershey Bears get set for Friday’s sixth game of the Calder Cup final, it goes without saying that neither team can complain about its goaltending in what has become an epic series.

For the Moose, Cory Schneider has lived up to his advance billing after winning the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as the top goaltender in the American Hockey League during the regular season.

He’s the top prospect in the Vancouver Canucks organization and the smart money has him spending most, if not all, of the next season in the NHL — either as a back-up to Roberto Luongo or maybe even a part-time starter somewhere else.

On the other side, Bears rookie Michal Neuvirth has been a show-stopper as well.

In the first five games of the series, Neuvirth (who opened the season in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays but ended up playing five games with the Washington Capitals), has allowed only nine goals and posted one shutout.

Schneider has given up 12 goals in five games.

“Cory been watching the guy at the other end put on a clinic as well,” said Arniel. “The thing about Cory is that his goaltending has been outstanding in this series, we just haven’t helped him a lot. He’s maturing every day that I watch him.”

As has become customary, Schneider has enjoyed going head-to-head with another top prospect.

He’s already lasted longer than Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Justin Pogge, Detroit Red Wings goalie of the future Jimmy Howard and a trio of Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars properties in Anton Khudobin, Nolan Schaefer and Matt Climie, who shared the Houston Aeros goal in the Western Conference final.

“Every series it seems like it’s goalie against goalie and you kind of get pitted against each other,” said Schneider. “I’ve been really impressed with (Neuvirth). He’s a young kid, but he looks really poised and he moves really well. He’s square to the puck and he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He doesn’t give up a lot of bad rebounds or second chances. We’re going to have to really crash the net and get a lot of pucks to the net and not let him see it. Just make his life really hard in our building.”

Schneider didn’t shy away when a reporter asked it was safe to say he needed to play better than Neuvirth in order for the Moose to win.

“That’s usually how it happens. The team that gets the better goaltending at this time of the year wins the games,” said Schneider. “Our teams are so even. Neuvirth has played great. I’ve done my share but it’s the little battles like that are going to make the difference.”

Bears defenceman Tyler Sloan acknowledged Neuvirth simply got better as the season went on.

“He’s had quite a year,” said Sloan. “He’s matured and progressed right from training camp. Through the playoffs we’ve seen him grow. He’s instilled a lot of confidence in us as a team as well. It’s been fun to watch.”

Puck drop is 7:35 p.m. at the MTS Centre before what will be another sellout crowd of 15,003.

Electricity in the Air - Moose hope sellout crowd gives them a boost

Can a push from the hometown crowd help the Manitoba Moose push the Calder Cup to a seventh and deciding game?

After playing three games in a hostile building, the Moose are certainly hoping to get a little extra energy from a supportive crowd of 15,003 at the MTS Centre today when the puck drops for Game 6 at 7:35 p.m.

"I hope it's going to be awesome. It's been great so far in the first two games (of the final) and all through the playoffs," said Moose goalie Cory Schneider.

"There's electricity in the air during the anthems and the starting lineup. You get goose-bumps, just hearing the energy in the crowd."

Crowd support has been fantastic for both the Moose and Hershey Bears during this championship series.

Including Game 6, there are already four official sellouts, with one more assured if the series goes the maximum.

The atmosphere is expected to go to another level when the series resumes tonight.

"It was definitely crazy down there, one of the toughest buildings I've ever played in," said Moose forward Jason Jaffray.

"As soon as the game (Tuesday) was over, everyone was talking about how crazy it was going to be Friday night.

"It's tough to describe the feeling of 15,000 fans screaming. If you can't get excited for that, you shouldn't be a hockey player."

There is no official promotion coming from the Moose organization, but plenty of banter is circulating about the possibility of having a Whiteout for Game 6.

Jaffray would love to see that happen.

"I've been a part of the (Calgary) Flames sea of red and it's crazy," said Jaffray.

"I know there have been whispers of (the Whiteout) for quite a few games now and it would be great to see it. I know back in the Jets days, it was exciting. It's going to be loud in here, as it is. To get everyone in white would be great."

Pressure

Media members were also trying to gauge who the pressure is on more going into Game 6 -- the team trying to close out a series for the second time or the one attempting to stave off elimination for a second time?

"You'd have to say that it's easier being the guy out in the lead," said Moose head coach Scott Arniel.

"You'd rather be up 3-2. But in saying that, Hershey is a team that's not going to want this to go to seven because then it's a crapshoot.

"We're probably going to get their most outstanding game. With us, we want to live to fight another day and play another day. We have to win. You don't get a second chance at this. For us, we've just got to win and make it 3-3."

HOOF PRINTS: The Moose are 8-2 on home ice during the playoffs, with one of those losses coming in Game 1 to the Bears, who are 6-4 on the road this spring. Arniel was non-committal when asked for an update on the status of veteran centre Mark Cullen, who sat out Tuesday's game with an "upper-body" injury. Cullen has not been ruled out, but seems doubtful after taking a hard check from Bears bruiser Steve Pinizzotto. Forwards Alexandre Bolduc and Dusty Collins remain probable. Bears fan Wayne Shambaugh sent along a note saying the doors to the Giant Center will be open tonight so Bears fans can watch Game 6 on the scoreboard.