Manitoba Moose

MANITOBA SPLITS OPENING SERIES WITH HOUSTON

By Christina Caligiuri

After beating the Aeros in their home opener, the Manitoba Moose sacrificed game two against the Houston club in a 4-2 decision at the MTS Centre on Saturday night. Both Mike Keane and Marco Rosa extended their goal streaks to two-games in the loss while goaltender Cory Schneider stopped 24 of 27 attempts.

With Cory Schneider in net for Manitoba and Anton Khudobin manning the pipes for Houston, the second match-up between the two clubs got underway at the MTS Centre.

Manitoba received the first powerplay of the night when Peter Zingoni was penalized for hooking at 2:14. After going zero-for-six on the man-advantage in Friday’s game against the Aeros, the Moose continued their powerplay drought when they were unable to capitalize during the short two minutes.

Former Moose Nathan Smith was sent to the sin bin for holding at 6:34. Despite bringing their shot count to four, the home team was still unable to notch their first powerplay goal of the season.

Houston drew first blood at 16:34. A defensive slip up in the Moose zone turned the puck over to centre Peter Zigoni. Soaring towards the net, the Aero lifted the puck over Schneider’s shoulder and into the left corner to open the scoring.

Moments later the Moose answered back. With Evan Oberg serving a holding penalty, the Moose were on the disadvantage. Captain Mike Keane poked the puck away at the blue line and broke free on a shorthanded surge. After making his way to the net, the veteran right winger faked out Khudobin and slide the puck passed his right goal pad to knot the game.

5:22 into the middle frame, Michael Grabner was locked up for slashing. With a flurry of shots on Schneider, Peter Zingoni earned his second of the night by jamming in a rebound, 2-1.

A mere 32 seconds later, the Aeros placed themselves back in front of Schneider and again, after multiple attempts, Justin Falk shoved one behind the 23-year old tender to extend their lead 3-1.

In the final five minutes of the second the Moose were trailing in the shot department, 12-19, but still made one count. Former Aero Marco Rosa got some revenge on his former club when he tightened the gap with an unassisted marker, 3-2.

Back-and-fourth play consumed the third period, but neither team found the back of the night. In the final minute the Moose pulled Schneider to try and tie the game, but a long shot by Clayton Stoner hit the empty net and confirmed the game, 4-2.