Manitoba Moose

MOOSE BEAT AEROS 3-1 TO ADVANCE TO CALDER CUP FINAL

By Christina Caligiuri

For the first time in franchise history, the Manitoba Moose won the Robert W. Clarke Trophy as the AHL’s Western Conference champions for 2008-09, claiming the title with a 3-1 victory over the Houston Aeros in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series at the MTS Centre on Monday night. The Moose will now advance to the Calder Cup Finals where they will take on the Hershey Bears.

Manitoba’s powerplay unit made their first appearance when Corey Locke was locked up for boarding at 4:08. Despite racking up four shots on the man-advantage, the Moose were unable to crack goaltender Matt Climie before play returned back to even-strength.

Guillaume Desbiens’ roughing call at 9:46 gave the Aeros their first powerplay, but like the Moose, the visitors were unable to break their goose-egg in the short two-minutes.  

Houston capitalized on their second powerplay at 12:52. Cory Schneider blocked Krys Kolanos initial shot, but Corey Locke slapped the rebound into the backdoor to claim the game’s first lead. 

Matt Pope responded at 14:48. From inside the red circle, the rookie right-winger fired a wrist shot over Climie’s left shoulder to knot the game at one.

The Moose dominated in the second frame producing 28 shots to the Aeros 14. There efforts, however, did not grant them a goal and the club’s headed into the third period still tied at one.

8:10 into the third period Clayton Stoner was penalized for high-sticking putting the Moose on their sixth powerplay. Michael Grabner fired a slap shot from the point that sailed through traffic and into the net, 2-1.

The Moose extended their lead even further at 12:07 when Mark Fistric drove a slap shot from the point that flew into the back of the net for a 3-1 tally.

The Aeros fought to tie up the game, but time expired before they could make a mark. With a 3-1 victory, the Manitoba Moose claimed their first-ever Western Conference Title and advanced to the Calder Cup Championships.