Moose Advance To Calder Cup Finals In Week 34

Published on June 1, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


For the first time in franchise history, the Manitoba Moose advanced to the Calder Cup Finals in Week 34. The club battled the Hershey Bears in Game 1 of the final series, but dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to the visiting squad. Despite the loss, the MTS Centre hosted the largest Game 1 crowd in AHL history with a sold out barn of 15,003 on Saturday night. The Moose and Bears will face-off for Game 2 Tuesday night at the MTS Centre.

Monday, May 25, 2009: Manitoba 3, Houston 1

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.

Saturday, May 30, 2009: Manitoba 4, Hershey 5 (OT)

The Manitoba Moose dropped Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals in a 5-4 overtime decision to the Hershey Bears on Saturday night in front of a packed house of 15,003 fans -- the largest Game 1 crowd in AHL playoff history. Michael Grabner notched two goals while Mark Cullen and Maxime Fortunus notched singles. Goaltender Cory Schneider stopped 30 of 35 shots in his 17th consecutive appearance.

Moose Notes

GAME ON FOR GAME TWO: After Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss, the Moose will look to even their series with the Bears in Game 2 Tuesday night. Over the span of their AHL history, the Moose are 6-10 in the second game of a series. So far this postseason, the Moose have won all three Game Twos, one coming after an overtime loss to the Toronto Marlies on April 17, 2009 (4-2W). The Moose have come back to win a series after dropping the opening game on four separate occasions, including a six game victory over the Syracuse Crunch back in the 2006 Calder Cup playoffs.

EXTRA TIME, EXTRA TROUBLE: The extra frame hasn't extended the pleasure for the Moose in the Calder Cup playoffs so far this postseason. It took the Bears 13:33 to notch an overtime winner against the Moose on Saturday night, bringing the club's overtime record this postseason to 0-4. The Moose dropped their first game in extra time to the Toronto Marlies in Game 1 of the North Division Semi-Finals. The Moose have now lost 12 of their last 13 postseason overtime games. Last season, all four of Manitoba's losses in the North Division Semi-Final came in overtime versus Syracuse. Overall, in their playoff history, the Moose are 11-17 when embarking on extra-time but only 6-13 since joining the AHL.

FANTASTIC #40: Moose right-winger Michael Grabner notched two goals and an assist in Saturday's overtime loss to the Bears, meaning he has notched 10 points in six games. The Austria native has scored eight goals in his last six games. He leads all Moose skaters with three points against the Bears and sits second on the team scoring leader board with 15 points (9g & 6a). He also leads his team in goals (9), shots (73) and in plus/minus (+11).

Upcoming Opponent

Next weekend, the Manitoba Moose travel to Hershey for Games 3, 4 & 5 of the Calder Cup Finals at the Giant Center.

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American Hockey League Stories from June 1, 2009


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