Manitoba Moose

GRABNER SCORES TWICE IN WIN AGAINST CHICAGO

By Christina Caligiuri

The Manitoba Moose won the first game of their four-game season series against the Chicago Wolves by a 4-1 tally on Friday night at the MTS Centre. Michael Funk and Sergei Shirokov both scored their first goals as Moose, while Michael Grabner notched his first two of the season. Goaltender Cory Schneider was nearly flawless stopping 23 of 24 shots. The Moose and Wolves will face-off in a rematch tomorrow night at the MTS Centre. 

Former teammates Cory Schneider and Drew MacIntyre manned opposite ends of the ice as game one between the Moose and Wolves got underway at the MTS Centre.

Chicago drew the first penalty of the game when Spencer Machacek was put away for hooking at 2:57. Manitoba was able to register three shots on the man-advantage but continued their powerplay drought after failing to capitalize.

The hometown Moose opened the scoring at 11:57. Michael Grabner flew from Manitoba’s blueline to the Wolves net. After fighting past two defenders, the speedy right-winger sniped the puck top corner to score his first of the season.

At the midway point of the game, the Wolves knotted the score. In a tic-tac-toe passing play, John Pohl beat Schneider through the five-hole for a 1-1 tally.

At 12:22, the Moose regained the lead. With an initial blast by Nolan Baumgarter, new addition Michael Funk slammed the rebound into the mesh for his first in Moose colors, 2-1.

In his first-ever AHL game, Sergei Shirokov, who was just assigned by the Canucks yesterday, scored his first-ever professional point and Manitoba’s first powerplay goal of the season. With the visitors down a man, Shirokov shot the puck from the high slot and extended Manitoba’s lead, 3-1.

In the latter half of the third period, the Moose were leading in shots 34-18. The clubs exchanged multiple penalties but neither could capitalize.

With 5:04 left in the game, Michael Grabner lit the lamp for the second time. With an initial shot from Marco Rosa, Grabner slapped the puck into the back door to confirm the game 4-1.