By Gary Lawless

CHICAGO -- The grinding sound the Manitoba Moose heard late Tuesday afternoon may have been landing gear or perhaps the tightening vice also known as the AHL's North Division.

When the Moose arrived at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport they were second in the North and owners of a playoff berth were the season to end today.

The season, however, does not end today. With 27 games left on their schedule, the Moose find themselves in sticky division and are far from guaranteed a berth in the post-season.

"Every game here going forward over the last 27 games is real important," said Moose coach Scott Arniel. "It's making sure every game we get points, whether it's one point or two in these tough buildings on the road."

Slipping over the next week while on this four-game road trip through Chicago, Grand Rapids and Peoria could easily push the Moose out of the immediate playoff picture.

Manitoba holds down second spot with 60 points while the Hamilton Bulldogs are docked in third with 58. The Syracuse Crunch idle in fourth with 57 points.

Fourth is normally good for a trip to the playoffs but its likely that only the top three from the North will advance and the final spot will go to the fifth seed in the West Division. The AHL allows for a crossover within its conferences and the fifth-place Milwaukee Admirals have 61 points to date while the Quad City Flames have 60, one more than the Houston Aeros. Someone from the West will crash the party in the North.

"It's crunch time. We can say to ourselves all we want about first place and all that, but the bottom line is we have to make the playoffs first. If you can't get up for that, get out of here," said goalie Drew MacIntyre. "I've been saying for a couple of weeks now but we have to play every game like those two points will get us into the playoffs. We look ahead far too much as a team. We have to worry about each game and nothing else."

MacIntyre says this time of year is everything for a hockey player. Like rain to a farmer and a bull market for a stockbroker.

"You can make what you want of it, the pressure or whatever, but all it comes down to is playing the way we can. We just have to do it. We've shown we can but we've messed around enough. It's time to do it," said MacIntyre.

Forward Colby Genoway has begun to look like himself in the last few games after missing over a month due to injury.

"This is the fun time of the season," he said. "Guys are gearing up for the playoffs. The old line, 'if you don't have a heartbeat for this one, then you don't deserve to be here.' You want to be in these games because if you don't you know you're not doing anything. Play good and you get rewarded."

Arniel would not discount the talk out of Vancouver that injured Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa is headed to the Moose for a rehab stint.

"If you get a player of that quality, no matter how many minutes he plays, he has a skill set that can really help you in all areas," said Arniel. "There are rumours and we'll see what happens but we'd welcome him with open arms."

Let the defence rest

* New blood

The Moose have signed defenceman David Schulz, formerly of the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL. The book on Schulz, a second-year pro who played five seasons in the Western Hockey League with Swift Current, Spokane, Saskatoon and Kelowna, is talented but still working on bringing a physical presence to the rink on a nightly basis.

* Old blood

The hot rumour around Moose quarters has injured Vancouver Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa joining the club on this road trip to rehab. Bieksa suffered a lacerated calf and is close to returning to action. The former Moose has lots of bang in his game and would be a welcome injection.

* Bad blood

Offensive blue-liner Jimmy Sharrow is out for at least a month with a separated shoulder. Sharrow had battled his way back into the lineup of late and will be missed on the power play.

* Blood transfusion

Rookie Luc Bourdon remains with the Canucks and his name is consistently mentioned in trade rumours. Bourdon was hit and miss while with the Moose for the better part of the first half of the season. There's promise there but lots of growth needed.