Manitoba Moose

MANITOBA BEATS HOUSTON IN GAME 1 OF THE 2009-10 SEASON

By Christina Caligiuri

After unveiling three banners to celebrate the success of last season, the Moose kicked-off the 2009-10 season with a 4-3 victory over the Houston Aeros in front of 7826 fans at the MTS Centre on Friday night. Captain Mike Keane, new additions Marco Rosa and Marty Murray, and returnee Pierre-Cedric Labrie all scored for the home team while Cory Schneider set aside 21 of 24 shots. The Moose and Aeros will face each other in a rematch tomorrow night at the MTS Centre.

In his Moose debut, Olivier Latendresse received the first penalty of the game for tripping at 2:43. Before the Aeros could take advantage of their powerplay, Andy Hilbert evened the odds with a goaltender interference call of his own at 3:24. Neither team scored on their respective advantages but the Moose were leading in shots 6-4.

Former Aero Marco Rosa drew first blood against his former team at 13:26. Michael Funk slapped the puck towards the net from the blueline and Rosa deflected it into the top corner to open the scoring against goaltender Wade Dubielewicz.

At 15:37 the Moose extended their lead. With a sleek pass across the net, courtesy of Mario Bliznak, Captain Mike Keane raised the puck over Dubielewicz’s left shoulder for a 2-0 tally.

With Nolan Baumgartner serving a hooking penalty in the opening minutes of the second stanza, the Texas visitors were able to capitalize. At 5:03, Cory Schneider made the initial stop but with his back turned Colton Gillies smacked the bullet into the open space, 2-1. 

Tensions were rising in the middle of the second period causing Travis Ramsey and Clayton Stoner to drop their gloves near the penalty box. When all was said and done, Stoner was charged with a major for fighting while Ramsey was given the same including a two-minute minor for instigation and a game misconduct.

As soon as play resumed, two more fights broke out. Nathan McIver and Tommy Maxwell were gunning up for the Moose while Nathan Smith and Maxime Noreau were in for Houston. After both parties ended their brawls, Manitoba finished on top with a two-minute powerplay. Manitoba went zero-for-three on the man-advantage and play returned to even-strength.

With 2:38 left in the middle frame, Pierre-Cedric Labrie soared down the ice and back-handed the puck into the net for a 3-1 score heading into the third.

After back-and-forth play for the majority of the third period, the Moose were leading in shots 24-21. With 1:41 left to play, Michael Grabner shot the puck against the back glass and the deflection was redirected by Marty Murray into the net. Moments later, Andy Hilbert broke Schneider with a high shot to make the game 4-2. On the final buzzer, Houston’s Danny Irmen fired a shot from the point and it sailed by Schneider to end the game 4-3 in favor of the Moose.