There is more room to stretch, more room to breathe and more room to skate but don't expect the venue change to mean much when the Manitoba Moose and Syracuse Crunch meet in Game 3 tonight at the MTS Centre (7:30 p.m., CJOB).

The best-of-seven North Division playoff series, tied 1-1 after overtime victories by each side, moves from the AHL's most confined space in Syracuse to the expanse of Manitoba's home arena.

The hitting and intensity will remain.

"Both games, and I like this, have been extremely physical, hitting-wise," said Moose coach Scott Arniel after his team's practice on Monday. "There hasn't been a lot of cheap stuff. It's been physical with bodychecks."

Crunch coach Ross Yates did not have the luxury of going on the ice with his team Monday, since much of the team's equipment had been delayed by airlines. It didn't deter his singular focus on the same kind of game tonight.

"We try to play the same style, away or home, and obviously the smaller rink is more conducive to our style," Yates agreed. "It's easier to play our style in a Binghamton or Syracuse rink.

"We still try to play the same way here but it's a little tougher to get in on the forecheck, there's more ice available to pick up or get it out but we're trying to finish every check whether it's here or on an Olympic-sized rink.

"I think we're making a little more out of that than we have to. Hockey's hockey. What are the dimensions this one to ours? Three or four more feet? I don't think it's a big deal."

When Mike Brown ended Game 2 in Manitoba's favour in the first overtime, it was Syracuse's first loss in 17 games.

"I wasn't unhappy with how we played," Yates said of his team's two-goal comeback in the third period. "It's two even teams."

Brown said he expects more of the same on the ice but that the Moose will enjoy hearing friendly fans.

"It's been two tough games so far," the Game 2 hero said. "We just have to keep it up, keep up the pace.

"It's a little different in the size of the rink now. It's a good thing in general to be playing in front of our fans, hopefully that's going to help us out."

Arniel said Monday that he expects to have rookie goalie Cory Schneider available for duty, but as usual, wasn't saying who his starter is. Schneider left Game 2 early in the third period because of leg cramps.

"He got replenished, got his fluids back up," he said of the goalie's dehydration, which forced Drew MacIntyre to take over. "He looked good out there today, felt good."

Schneider said Saturday's exit was an accumulation of things.

"I felt it at the start of the third," he said of the cramps. "I've felt that before but you just drink some water and it goes away. Back-to-back nights, sweated more than I realized and it was a hot day out, it probably dehydrated me more than I expected."

He ventured that the larger spaces of the MTS Centre will make the game feel more natural.

"You try not to think there are differences," he said. "But this probably works to our advantage. Their power play, they kind of thrive in the tight area where they can hammer pucks and get close shots. If we can spread them out a little more and not let them get those concentrated point shots, that can make them skate and work a little harder."

Whatever the venue, focus is going to be important, Arniel said.

"Everybody likes playing in their own building," he said. "I think coming here, we have to take advantage of our surroundings, a bigger ice surface and just get this next game.

"If we rest on what we've done, well, they're a good hockey club. They won all those games, especially in the second half, and they weren't all on home ice."

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

Series at a glance

North Division semifinal

(best-of-seven)

Manitoba Moose vs.

Syracuse Crunch (series tied 1-1)

So far: The Crunch stole Game 1 with an overtime comeback win while the Moose took Game 2, also in overtime. Series opened in Syracuse and now moves to Winnipeg for three games.

The skinny: The Moose handed Syracuse their first lost in 16 games on Saturday night and now have home ice in the series. The Crunch are already feeling the pinch of playing away from home as only half of their gear made it to Winnipeg in time for their Monday workout.

"öThe buzz: This series has been nasty with both clubs cranking up the physical play. Lots of hitting, lots of chatter and general unpleasantness. Just good, old fashioned playoff hockey.

The schedule

Game 3 - Tuesday, April 22, Crunch at Moose, 7:30 p.m.

Game 4 - Friday, April 25, Crunch at Moose, 7:30 p.m.

Game 5 - Saturday, April 26 Crunch at Moose, 7:30 p.m. (if needed)

Game 6 - Monday, April 28, Moose at Crunch, 6:00 p.m. (if needed)

Game 7 - Tuesday, April 29, Moose at Crunch, 6:00 p.m. (if needed)

-- Gary Lawless

Semifinal storylines

This AHL North Division semifinal got its legs in Syracuse last weekend and has quickly developed a number of storylines to keep an eye on. The Moose will host the Syracuse Crunch for three games at the MTS Centre beginning with tonight's Game 3. Fans who heard the games on radio will have an idea of what to look for but here's a primer for those heading downtown to get their first taste of the playoffs.

1The nastiness: There's a general hate on for one another between these two clubs and it had made itself evident during warm-up and carries through until the teams leave the ice. Both sides will talk some smack and pursue opportunities to leave a physical impression.

2 Goaltending greatness: Crunch netminder Karl Goehring and Moose goalie Cory Schneider have been the best players for their respective teams. The stinginess in net makes every chance crucial and ratchets up the pressure on both clubs to find offence.

3 Schneider's health: The rookie goalie came down with cramps in both his legs on Saturday night and was forced to leave the game. He professed good health on Monday but this will be a nervous situation until his reaction to this disruption can be gauged.

4 Brule's brilliance: Can the sixth overall pick in the 2005 draft take his game to the next level? Gilbert Brule has been very good in the first two games of the series using his speed to cause trouble for the Moose but so far he hasn't cashed in.

5 More from Moran: It's not enough for Moran and his wingers, Jannik Hansen and Michael Grabner, to create chances. They need to score. This is the playoffs and close counts for squat. Moran has been his crafty self and gritty to boot but it's time for goals.

6 Captain Moose: Mike Keane made his living in the NHL as a guy who got the job done at playoff time regardless of the personal price. Nothing has changed. The Winnipegger is a penalty-killing guru in his 20th pro playoff tournament. Don't look for flash but expect substance.

7 Captain Crunch: Zenon Konopka is a mohawk-sporting, trash-talking forward with lots of bang in his game. He can fight and score, and is the undisputed leader of his club.

8 Coaching 101: Moose coach Scott Arniel gets the edge after the first two games. Arniel had his club stick to their game no matter what the Crunch threw at them. Syracuse wanted to take this series into the alley and Arniel wouldn't have it. Crunch coach Ross Yates now has the floor and his next chess move will be key.

9 Nathan and Marc: Moose blue-liner Nathan McIver has played a nice simple game and been very effective. On the other end, big Marc Methot has been the best of a very strong Crunch defensive corps. There's huge pressure on defencemen at this stage of the season and this duo has risen to the challenge.

10 The seat beside you: Is it empty or full? Syracuse filled their building both nights last weekend and it charged the atmosphere. The Moose are traditionally a slow draw in the first round of the post-season but this series already has lots of heat.

-- Gary Lawless