First in the West: Thanks to Manitoba's strong play of late (12-1-0-0 in their last 13 games), they have managed to climb from third place in the North Division to first in the North and a tie for first in the entire Western Conference. Manitoba currently has 79 points tying them for first in the Conference with the Chicago Wolves and marking the first time Manitoba has ever been tops in the Conference this late in the season. With their 6-2 victory over the Toronto Marlies Saturday night the Moose enjoyed a brief stay alone atop the Western Conference until Chicago defeated the San Antonio Rampage Sunday to move into a tie with the Moose.
Happiest at home: The MTS Centre continues to bring out the best in the Manitoba Moose as the team improved its home record to 20-7-3-2 with Saturday night’s win over the Marlies. Since the New Year, the Moose are 12-1-1-0 at home and are currently on a seven-game MTS Centre win streak. The last time the Moose failed to register a point at home was Jan. 19/07 when Manitoba dropped a 5-2 decision to the San Antonio Rampage.
Early bird gets the win:
The Moose continued this season’s tradition of holding on to early leads with Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Toronto Marlies. Nathan Smith scored the first goal of the game, opening the flood gates as the Moose poured in five first period goals enroute to the victory. The Moose are now 22-5-3-2 when scoring first this season; by comparison, when the opposing team scores first, Manitoba is 12-12-4-2.
No crisis over shot-count: For the 11th time in 13 games, the Moose were outshot by their opponent Saturday night against the Toronto Marlies. Despite falling 34-25 in shots on goal, Manitoba defeated Toronto 6-2 to earn their 12th victory in their past 13 games. The Moose have outshot their opponent only twice during this streak, Feb. 14/07 vs. Omaha when they outshot the Knights 26-20 and then again Feb. 24/07 when they outshot the Syracuse Crunch 30-29 as Manitoba suffered their only loss in the past 13 games. Despite being outshot by a whopping 62 shots during this 13 game stretch, Manitoba has outscored their opponents 50 to 22 over that period.
The Manitoba Moose continued their dominance of the Toronto Marlies, earning two more victories over their North Division rivals in week 22 to move into sole possession of first place in the North and a tie for first place in the entire Westren Conference with the Chicago Wolves. Now 62 games into the season, Manitoba improved their record to 34-17-7-4 for 79 points, three more than the Hamilton Bulldogs and four more than the Rochester Americans.
Friday, March 2, 2007:
The Moose welcomed the Toronto Marlies to the MTS Centre for the first time this season after sweeping all four road games from Toronto at Ricoh Coliseum earlier in the year. Wade Flaherty came up big for the Moose, earning his second shutout of the season by stopping all 31 shots the Marlies fired at him in a 3-0 victory. The penalty-kill came up huge for the Moose as well as they did not allow a powerplay goal against despite being shorthanded eight times in the game. (view game recap / highlights)
Saturday, March 3, 2007:
The Moose followed up their shutout win the night before by pouncing on the Marlies early in this one. Nathan Smith scored the first goal of the game at the 6:26 mark of the first period which opened the flood gates for the Moose as they scored five goals in the first period. The team extended their lead to 6-0 as Lee Goren scored his 20th of the season, before allowing two goals late in the game. Drew MacIntyre earned the victory despite having to leave the game mid-way through the second period due to the flu. Jean-Francoise Racine who started in goal for the Marlies also failed to finish the game as he was pulled after the first two goals against. Justin Pogge came in to relieve him, although he fared no better allowing four goals and taking the loss. The victory was the sixth straight versus the Marlies this season and improved their overall record versus Toronto to 12-0-1-1. The win was also Manitoba's seventh straight at home and their 12th in their past 13 games overall moving them into sole possesion of first place in the Western Conference. (view game recap / highlights)
This week Manitoba plays host to the Iowa Stars for the first time this season on Friday, March 9th and Saturday, March 10th at the MTS Centre. Friday's game is Jamaican Me Crazy Night at the MTS Centre as one lucky fan will win a trip for two to Jamaica courtesy of Appleton Jamaica Rum. Saturday's game is Military Night as the Manitoba Moose will pay tribute to our Canadian Forces. The Moose will wear special camouflage jerseys for the occasion and their are special pre and post-game ceremonies planned for the evening.
Manitoba will play host to the Iowa Stars for the first time this season at the MTS Centre Friday, March 9th and Saturday, March 10th. Last season was the first time Manitoba faced Iowa in their AHL history as they went 3-1-0-0 against the Stars including two victories at the MTS Centre. The last time these teams played was Mar. 5/06 in Iowa where the Stars scored two quick goals in the second period and held on for a 3-1 victory. The last time the Moose and Stars played at the MTS Centre Feb. 4/06, five different Moose players scored as Manitoba defeated Iowa 5-2.
#20 Brad Moran - Centre
Brad Moran returned from his recent recall to the Vancouver Canucks and appeared in both games for the Moose this past week versus the Toronto Marlies…He recorded a goal and an assist in each game for four points in total for the week…He also finished with four shots on net and was a +5 overall...Moran remains second on the team in scoring now with 21 goals and 40 assists for 61 points which is 11th overall in the AHL...He is sixth in the league in assists with 21 of those 40 coming on the powerplay -- good for fifth in the league in man-advantage helpers...He has now collected nine points in his last six games with the Moose.
Manitoba will play host to the Iowa Stars for the first time this season at the MTS Centre Friday, March 9th and Saturday, March 10th. Last season was the first time Manitoba faced Iowa in their AHL history as they went 3-1-0-0 against the Stars including two victories at the MTS Centre. The last time these teams played was Mar. 5/06 in Iowa where the Stars scored two quick goals in the second period and held on for a 3-1 victory. The last time the Moose and Stars played at the MTS Centre Feb. 4/06, five different Moose players scored as Manitoba defeated Iowa 5-2.
Brad Moran returned from his recent recall to the Vancouver Canucks and appeared in both games for the Moose this past week versus the Toronto Marlies…He recorded a goal and an assist in each game for four points in total for the week…He also finished with four shots on net and was a +5 overall...Moran remains second on the team in scoring now with 21 goals and 40 assists for 61 points which is 11th overall in the AHL...He is sixth in the league in assists with 21 of those 40 coming on the powerplay -- good for fifth in the league in man-advantage helpers...He has now collected nine points in his last six games with the Moose.