Manitoba Moose

MANITOBA WINS FIFTH STRAIGHT AND SWEEPS FOURTH HOME SERIES

By, Christina Caligiuri

The Manitoba Moose swept their fourth home series in a row finishing on top of a 4-1 decision against the San Antonio Rampage in front of 7659 fans at the MTS Centre. Jason Jaffray netted two, Alexandre Bolduc and Mark Cullen each notched one and goaltender Karl Goehring stopped 18 shots to record his fourth win of the season.

First Period

Both teams opted to switch goaltenders from last night with Karl Goehring backing the Moose and Josh Tordjman protecting the visiting pipes. Tordjman would be the first player penalized, with a delay of game penalty at 2:58. With only three shots on net, the Moose watched the two-minutes expire without breaking their goose-egg.

At 7:40 Darryl Bootland’s roughing penalty offered the Rampage their first powerplay of the night. The visitors registered three shots on Goehring but were also unable to hit the back of the net.

Tempers flared in the dying minutes of the period as Raymond Sawada took on Ryan Lannon. After a short show in front of the Moose bench, both players’ were reprimanded with fighting majors.

Although the Rampage were on the man-advantage, with Jason Krog sitting out for hooking, the home team hit the scoreboard first thanks to a slick steal from Alexandre Bolduc who netted the first of the night while shorthanded.

The Moose’s lead was cut short when Chad Kolarik caught Goehring on the ground and snapped the puck over his glove. The club’s sat even at one ending the first.

Second Period

Manitoba stole the lead back 1:34 into the second stanza. Michel Ouellet slapped the puck from the point and Jason Jaffray redirected the rebound into the net earning his 11th of the season and putting the Moose up 2-1.

Former Moose Adam Keefe and defenseman Zack FitzGerald were the two contenders in the night’s second scrap. Taking place in front of the penalty boxes, the pair didn’t have far to go to serve their five-minute majors.

Another fight ensued at 12:38 when Darryl Bootland and Logan Stephenson faced off at centre ice. After exchanging a few blows the duo went to the box to serve their time. 

Mark Cullen continued his scoring streak, after registering a hat trick last night, by scoring a goal late in the second to give the Moose some cushion room heading into the third, 3-1.

Third Period

Evenly-matched even-strength play continued through the third, and the Moose carried their 27-18 shot lead and 3-1 goal lead into the final minutes of the frame.

The Rampage offered the Moose a powerplay late in the third by suffering a high-sticking penalty. Jason Jaffray netted his second of the night, with help from Shaun Heshka and Jimmy Sharrow, to confirm the lead for the Moose 4-1.