Manitoba Moose

Not even Mike Keane likes his chances of maintaining his current pace of production.

"Don't go to Vegas betting that," Keane quipped after Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Houston Aeros that left the team at 1-1. "Don't hold your breath."

The 42-year-old Manitoba Moose captain led the way leaders are supposed to -- displaying his trademark dogged determination throughout the opening weekend of the American Hockey League season and finished the two games with two goals and an assist to sit first in team scoring.

Keane, who is coming off his most productive of four seasons with the Moose, understands what is required for him to chip in more.

"You hope to get three or four chances a game and bury at least one," said Keane, who had eight goals and 28 points last season.

A highlight-reel short-handed marker on Saturday night saw Keane sell a fake shot, complete with high leg kick, before he buried the forehand deke.

"That's one of the moves and the other one is shoot it," said Keane.

Head coach Scott Arniel isn't surprised Keane put three points on the board and was among the top performers over the weekend.

"Mike doesn't always get enough credit for the skill set that he has," said Arniel. "Obviously, he's played a certain role for a lot of years at the NHL level and here. I've always challenged him that when he thinks he has opportunities to go out and do stuff offensively, to do it. It's great to see. If that line can score goals and play against the other teams top line, it's a bonus."

It spoke volumes that Arniel had Keane on the ice in a one-goal game Saturday after the Moose pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker.

"He's one guy I knew would go and stand in front of the net -- we're trying to find people that want to go into those traffic areas and actually hang around in there," said Arniel. "It was something I used last year with him. He's got great hands, he goes to the net and he's good at screening goalies."