Division On The Line

Published on January 17, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Moose hoped to extend their winning ways in 2011 as they continued a lengthy stretch of home games at MTS Centre. Closing in on the Hamilton Bulldogs for first place in the North Division, the Moose took on the Milwaukee Admirals who themselves had been on a four game win streak. After splitting the weekend series the Moose will welcome two North Division opponents with hopes of catching the Bulldogs by next weekend.

Thursday, January 13, 2011: Manitoba 3, Milwaukee 0 Moose goalie Eddie Lack, the defending AHL Goaltender of the Month, got the start on Thursday as the Moose took on the Admirals. Moose captain Nolan Baumgartner opened up the scoring early in the game with a powerful slap shot from the point assisted by Sergei Shirokov. The goal extended Baumgartner's point streak to five games (1g, 6a) and the assist extended Shirokov's streak to eleven games (9g, 4a). Lack denied all 27 shots from the Admirals securing his second shut out of the year in the 3-0 victory.

Saturday, January 15, 2011: Manitoba 2, Milwaukee 3 (OT) The Moose were eager to take on the Admirals after shutting them out in the previous game. Shirokov struck first banking a shot off Milwaukee netminder Mark Dekanich from behind the net in the first minute of the game. That quick strike gave Shirokov sole possession of Manitoba's franchise record longest point streak (12 games). Kevin Connauton scored next for the home team, but the Admirals came back to score three unanswered goals including an overtime winner by their leading scorer Linus Klasen.

Moose Notes

BAUMGARTNER NEVER BEEN BETTER: Moose captain Nolan Baumgartner is currently on a six game point streak (1g, 7a) giving him three goals and 17 assists on the year. Baumgartner recently passed former Moose captain Brian Chapman for third all-time on Manitoba's career assist leaders. He now sits two assists behind Jason Jaffray (138a). Baumgartner is currently on pace for 41 points (6g, 35a) which would be his highest season totals in the AHL.

HALFWAY HOME: The Moose are set to play their 40th game of the season on Tuesday night when they host the Marlies. Last season the Moose hit the halfway mark with a record of 21-14-4-1. Their leading scorer at that time was Sergei Shirokov with 26 points (12g, 14a) at the midway point of his rookie season. Manitoba's power play is currently ahead of last season's pace, as it now stands 23rd in the AHL (15.1%)/. Last year, the Moose stood 28th (11.1%) at the halfway point.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: The Moose may be without their leading scorer for the time being, but not before Sergei Shirokov made his mark. Manitoba's player of the week was recalled by the Vancouver Canucks on Monday just days after setting a new franchise record 12-game point streak. Over his currently active streak, Shirokov has 10 goals and five assists. Manitoba's record during the streak has been 9-2-1-0.

Upcoming Opponents

VS Marlies - Jan. 18 & 19 - 7:30 p.m.

VS Heat - Jan. 21 - 7:30 p.m. & Jan. 23 - 12:00 p.m.

The Moose have four games this week as they take on a pair of North Division rivals. With the Marlies visiting first, and only two points back of the Moose, there will be bragging rights and standing positions on the line.

Player of the Week Nominee

Sergei Shirokov

Sergei Shirokov scored early on Saturday extending his current point streak to 12 games (10g, 5a)... His current streak broke the Moose franchise record of 11 games... Earlier this past week, Shirokov was selected to play in his second straight AHL All-Star Classic... The Moose have a record of 9-2-1-0 during Shirokov's current point streak...

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American Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2011


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