Manitoba Moose

Without a coach or a whistle in sight, a few members of the Manitoba Moose hit the ice for some shinny.

It was technically an "optional practice" yesterday morning at MTS Centre, but there was no practising to be seen. Just 15 or so players going back to their roots, having a little fun after enjoying two days off.

"These are always fun skates to be a part of, just playing around," Moose centre Greg Rallo said. "This will definitely help (today). Getting your hands and feet back a day early always helps."

It's been five days since the Moose discarded the Grand Rapids Griffins in the North Division final, and they still don't know who they will face in the Western Conference championship, which starts Friday at MTS Centre.

The Milwaukee Admirals staved off elimination in the West Division final on Saturday night, edging the Houston Aeros 4-3 to cut their series deficit to 3-2.

Game 6 is tonight in Milwaukee.

While those teams beat the snot out of each other, the Moose will continue to take it easy -- although the coaches and their whistles will be present this morning when real practice resumes at MTS Centre.

CONUNDRUM?: Rallo finds himself in an interesting situation these days.

He's a Chicago kid and a lifelong Blackhawks fan who is a dressing room full of Vancouver Canucks prospects.

The Hawks lead the Canucks 3-2 in their Western Conference semifinal, with Game 6 slated for tonight in Chicago. Rallo won't be rooting for the Canucks.

"I gotta stick with the roots," said Rallo, who has an AHL contract with the Moose. "I've been a Chicago fan my whole life."

NEW GUYS: The Moose called up goaltender Todd Ford from the ECHL's Victoria Salmon Kings yesterday, and they also signed University of Minnesota-Duluth defenceman Evan Oberg to an amateur tryout contract.

The 6-foot-4 Ford, whose dad Tom played basketball for the Brandon University Bobcats, attended Moose camp in the fall and had a 17-15-1 record this season for the Salmon Kings, who were eliminated from the ECHL playoffs nine days ago.

Oberg, a 6-foot, 165-pound native of Forestburg, Alta., had 27 points in 43 games for the Bulldogs this season.