Bulldogs down Moose 4-2

Published on December 21, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


WINNIPEG, MB. -- Hosting Hamilton for the first time since their Calder Cup-winning run last season, the Manitoba Moose dropped a 4-2 decision to the Bulldogs Friday night. Hamilton's Duncan Milroy led all skaters with a goal and an assist, while Colby Genoway and Zack FitzGerald scored for Manitoba.

With Jaroslav Halak in net for the Bulldogs and Drew MacIntyre playing his first game since making his NHL debut last week, Friday night's North Division battle got underway at the MTS Centre. Though the Moose benefited from the first powerplay of the game just under two minutes in, the club scored the first goal of the contest during even-strength play. After snapping up the puck in the Moose zone, Colby Genoway and Michael Grabner powered in on a two-on-one, with Genoway firing past Halak to net the game's opening goal.

The lead wouldn't last long, however, as Hamilton forward Corey Locke pounced on Duncan Milroy's rebound and beat a sliding MacIntyre to tie the game at one.

A scuffle in MacIntyre's crease in the final minutes of the first resulted in Hamilton's first powerplay of the game, and the visitors pounced on the opportunity to take their first lead of the game. Positioned in the near corner face-off circle, Joel Bouchard fired home his first of the season to put the Bulldogs up 2-1 after one period of play.

Up 10 shots to 8 at the start of the second, Hamilton extended their lead to two goals four minutes into the middle frame. As part of a strong offensive rush for the Bulldogs, Janne Lahti got the puck past MacIntyre and into the home net to set the score at 3-1.

Two consecutive Hamilton penalties gave the Moose their third and fourth powerplay opportunities, but fights -- and not goals -- erupted near the 11:30 mark. After fists stopped flying between Rick Rypien and Andrew Archer and also Pierre-Cedric Labrie and Jonathan Ferland, two game misconducts were awarded and Manitoba netted a two-minute minor for roughing. Despite the man-advantages, the Moose stayed within two goals and three shots by the end of the first.

As the Bulldogs cracked the 20-shot mark in the third, Moose skaters attempted to better Halak for the second time. At 12:34, Moose defenceman Zack FitzGerald succeeded, connecting on a slapshot from the point to put Manitoba within one.

Manitoba drew their fifth penalty of the game with just under 10 minutes left to play, but the home team was unable to make it happen on the man-advantage and soon offered up a powerplay in the other direction.

Neither team was able to post another powerplay marker, and Manitoba opted for a sixth skater in the final 90 seconds. Despite making two saves in a pinch goaltending attempt by Luc Bourdon, Milroy scored an empty-netter to secure a 4-2 win for Hamilton.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2007


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