HERSHEY, Penn. -- It's been a while in coming but the Manitoba Moose have accepted what they are and have begun to flourish in the comfort of their own skin.
The Moose reeled off their sixth win in a row Sunday afternoon as they gutted out a 3-1 victory over the Hershey Bears before 9,827 customers at Giant Center.
The win had a number of elements that could be credited for Manitoba's success but the largest stick in that pile has to be the players buying into their roles as individuals.
Scorers are scoring, checkers are checking and goalies are saving. The Moose are now 38-24-2-3 and this current win streak has them in second place in the North Division with 81 points, seven back of the Toronto Marlies and five ahead of the third-place Syracuse Crunch.
"It's been a situation where people are starting to recognize what they need to do night in and night out for us to have success," said head coach Scott Arniel. "The problem now is, we're going home to play on Wednesday night and we'll be missing Jason Jaffray, Alex Bolduc and Nathan McIver. People are changing roles again. We've had that same combination the last couple of weeks and that's been big for us. We'll have to adjust and some other people will have to step up."
The role players
The set-up man: Brad Moran is putting together a convincing case to be the club's MVP. Moran leads the Moose with 59 points, 41 of them assists. He's consistent, creative and crafty.
The sniper: Jason Jaffray went down with a suspected shoulder injury late in Sunday's win but only after he'd scored his team leading 21st goal of the season. Jaffray's only seen action in 43 games with the Moose due to recalls to Vancouver and injury but he's got his scoring eye and if the injury isn't serious, he's getting dangerous at just the right time.
The rookie: Cory Schneider is the hottest goalie in the AHL, having won eight straight starts and allowing just two goals in his last four games. Schneider has gone from a weakness to pushing No. 1 man Drew MacIntyre for playing time. The competition is healthy and goaltending is a real strength for the Moose.
The sleeper: Centre Greg Classen has been a disappointment all season but he appeared to have found his game this weekend. Whether he can keep it up remains to be seen but if he's in top form, he's a threat at both ends of the ice.
The old smoothie: Defenceman Nolan Baumgartner has popped into the Moose lineup since the trade deadline and had a remarkable influence. Makes all the right decisions and has calm and poise in his own end.
The old grinder: Captain Mike Keane is at his best right now. Blocking shots, killing penalties and eating up ice time. Should he be done? You bet. Is he? No chance.
The assassin: Winger Mike Brown continues to get better and if he's got you in his sights it's game over. He closes on players and finishes checks like a big leaguer. Maybe he is.
The safe bet: Max Fortunus just goes out on the ice every nighth and makes safe, easy plays. Not Bobby Orr but a key cog to a blue line that looks better each night.
gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca
Highlight
REEL
Moose 3 Bears 1
First Period
Both goalies, Manitoba's Cory Schneider and Hershey's Daren Machesney, are brilliant. Lots of scoring chances at both ends but bagels on the scoreboard.
Moose 0 Bears O
Second Period
Jason Jaffray ends a short stretch of frustration and beats Machesney on the power play as he swats in his own rebound. Jaffray's 21st goal of the season came after a number of chances in both weekend games that were oh-so-close. Hershey's Scott Barney crashes into Schneider and takes an ill-advised penalty and the Moose get their second power-play goal as Jannik Hansen grabs a loose puck and lifts it home. Barney partially redeems himself with a goal late in the frame to keep his club in the hunt.
Moose 2 Bears 1
Third Period
Hershey's Louis Robitaille catches Jaffray with his head down and drills him. Jaffray leaves the ice holding his shoulder and defenceman Danny Groulx skates straight to Robitaille in an attempt to exact revenge, but no punches are thrown. Jaffray did not return and the club would only say he's day-to-day pending re-evaluation in Winnipeg. Colby Genoway scores an empty-netter and it's a perfect weekend for the Moose.
Moose 3 Bears 1
ICE CHIPS
Missing McIver
The Moose went without defenceman Nathan McIver on Sunday and while there's nothing official at this point, he's been recalled by the Vancouver Canucks. It's the second time in seven days that McIver has been summoned by Vancouver and it's a disturbing trend for the Moose. The Kinkora, P.E.I., native adds a physical element as well as confidence and experience to the Moose blue line. His presence is definitely missed. Great for him if he's in the Canucks lineup but bad for all involved if he's just hanging around airports as he did earlier this week. Keep him or leave him, we say.
Estrada improves
Moose winger Kevin Estrada left Saturday night's game after a cheap-shot elbow from Hershey's Jason Morgan and experienced concussion-like symptoms. On Sunday, however, Estrada said he awoke with a slight headache and felt better as the day progressed.
Put me in coach
Rookie Travis Ramsey, a defenceman out of the University of Maine, saw his first action as a pro on Sunday, playing both wing and the blue line.
Up next
San Antonio Rampage at Moose, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. (CJOB)