Maturity might be the new buzzword for the Manitoba Moose.
For the first time in four homestand doubleheaders, the Moose have taken the first game, a sure sign that their team is finding its own stride and character.
The 3-2 victory over the San Antonio Rampage before 7,866 customers at MTS Centre was a double bonus, as the AHL team won its first game back at home after a lengthy absence. That's touted by hockey experts far and wide as a most difficult assignment.
It was also the team's seventh straight win, clear evidence that things are finally falling into place for a group that struggled mightily at times earlier in the season.
The second-place Moose, 39-24-2-3, kept pace with North Division-leading Toronto and third-place Syracuse, who were both winners on Wednesday night.
The Rampage, playing the fifth game of their six-game road trip, dropped to 36-21-3-7 but still share second in the West Division.
With an ever-changing lineup ¬ -- it even featured two more new players Wednesday in Mark Derlago and Greg Rallo -- the Moose have straightened out many of their defensive-zone wrinkles and enjoyed a surge in goaltending provided by Drew MacIntyre and rookie Cory Schneider.
Schneider was in the nets Wednesday and delivered his ninth straight victory.
After winning all five road games while the Brier occupied their home, the Moose started out Wednesday night with a few cobwebs. The beginning of the game following a road trip however wasn't as disorganized and lacklustre as previously seen.
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Moose forward Michael Grabner (40) crashes the San Antonio net. |
An aggressive play led to the first man-advantage, as San Antonio's Mike Zigomanis was caught hooking as the Moose stormed up the ice.
The Rampage never touched the puck during the Manitoba power play. The Moose clicked for 26 consecutive passes and despite their impatient fans hollering for a shot, the patience of the home team paid off with Shaun Heshka's goal as he stormed in from the point.
The marker brought assists from Manitoba's leading scorer, Brad Moran, and newcomer Mark Derlago, playing his first AHL game after a recall from Bakersfield (ECHL).
Manitoba had other opportunities, but the Rampage drew even with its own power play later in the second on Peter Vandermeer's goal at the crease.
Rookie Michael Grabner sent the home team back in front with just 44.7 seconds remaining in the middle period when he cleverly tipped Colby Genoway's feed past Rampage goalie Al Montoya.
The Moose had to kill off a horribly bogus penalty right after the go-ahead goal, when Juraj Simek was sent off for interference that was nothing but two players fighting for position.
Brad Moran added the winning margin with a 3-1 goal in the third period.
The teams will meet again tonight at MTS Centre, then the Moose take off again for a road trip, this time four games next week starting Tuesday in Cleveland.
tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca
Highlight Reel: Moose 3 San Antonio 2
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First PeriodSan Antonio's Mike Zigomanis is sent off for hooking at 9:29 and after the ensuing faceoff, the Moose control the puck for 51 seconds, moving it around with 26 consecutive passes that end with defenceman Shaun Heshka's pretty goal. It's as textbook a power-play drill as you'll see any time in any league.
Moose 1 / San Antonio 0
Second Period
Rampage hooligan Peter Vandermeer (276 minutes in only 30 games) pops a rebound behind Moose goalie Cory Schneider and with the power-play goal, it's tied. An offensive-zone penalty to San Antonio's Curtis Fraser late in the period, however, gives the Moose another opening and Michael Grabner tips home Colby Genoway's feed and the home team leads again.
Moose 2 / San Antonio 1
Third Period
Brad Moran makes a highly skilled deke and gives the Moose a 3-1 lead at 3:21. Zigomanis adds a rebound goal with 4:49 left in regulation but other than some goalie interference in the final minute, the Rampage didn't seriously come close to knotting the game.
Moose 3 / San Antonio 2
ICE CHIPS
Game-breakerGrabner. His big-league deflection of Genoway's give-and-go late in the second period restored Manitoba's lead. That kind of touch and talent is what Grabner has to contribute and he did it in a big way to turn the momentum back Manitoba's way.
Two debuts
Mark Derlago, in from Bakersfield, and Greg Rallo, playing his first game for the Moose after being signed from another ECHL club, Idaho, both saw their share of ice Wednesday night. And Derlago, playing on Manitoba's top line, contributed an assist in his first AHL game.
Justice, however late
Hershey's Jason Morgan received a four-game suspension from the AHL Wednesday after he elbowed Manitoba's Kevin Estrada in the head last Saturday. Morgan was penalized and ejected but played the next night against the Moose.
Next: San Antonio at Moose, tonight, 7:30 p.m. at MTS Centre (CJOB).
--Tim Campbell