Going The Distance

Published on April 26, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Nothing about Manitoba's first round series against the Lake Erie Monsters has been easy. Despite more than one goalie change, a scarcity of power play goals, and a 3-1 series deficit, the Moose have overcome all of that in order to force a Game 7 with the Monsters on Tuesday, Apr. 26.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011: Manitoba 1, Lake Erie 2

The Moose returned to MTS Centre in an ideal position after splitting Games 1 & 2 in Lake Erie. But the Monsters nixed Manitoba's home ice advantage in the series by upsetting the home team in Game 3. Sergei Shirokov fired up the home crowd with a goal on Manitoba's first shot of the game but Lake Erie's John Grahame was perfect stopping the next 39 shots. The Monsters responded with two goals in the second period and held on for the 2-1 win.

Thursday, April 21, 2011: Manitoba 3, Lake Erie 6

Special teams was a deciding factor in Game 4 of the series with Manitoba on the wrong end of too many penalties and almost as many power play goals. The Moose surrendered eight power plays to the Monsters, who capitalized three times. Lake Erie's Justin Mercier also scored the game winning goal while shorthanded helping the visitors to a 6-3 win and a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

Friday, April 22, 2011: Manitoba 2, Lake Erie 0

There are few greater motivators in sports than 'do-or-die', and that's exactly what the Moose faced in Game 5 facing elimination in their own rink. Goalie Eddie Lack made his first start since Game 1 when he allowed five goals. Lack was flawless this time stopping 26 shots in the first postseason shutout of his young career. Manitoba's hottest line provided all the offence needed with a goal by Sergei Shirokov early in the third period, followed by an empty netter by Jason Jaffray.

Sunday, April 24, 2011: Manitoba 3, Lake Erie 1

After staving off elimination in Game 5 at home, the Moose would need a repeat performance on the road. Lake Erie scored first but their second period lead lasted hardly a minute before rookie Bill Sweatt replied for the Moose. The turning point in the game would be a power play goal in the third period by Moose defenceman Keith Seabrook. It was Manitoba's first PPG of the series and stood as the game winner. With an insurance marker by Sergei Shirokov, the Moose forced a decisive Game 7 with a 3-1 win on Easter Sunday.

Upcoming Opponents

Game seven @ Lake Erie - Apr. 26 - 6:00 p.m.

The Moose have a chance to extend their season with a win on Tuesday night in Lake Erie. Manitoba was able to force a Game 7 with a two straight wins in Game 5 & 6. If the Moose win in the decisive game against the Monsters, they'll move on to face the Hamilton Bulldogs in the second round.

Player of the Week Nominee

Jason Jaffray led Moose scorers with six points (2g, 4a) in four postseason games against Lake Erie last week... Jaffray assisted on linemate Sergei Shirokov's game winning goal in Game 5... He is Manitoba's all-time leader in AHL playoff points with 50 (24g, 26a) in 58 Calder Cup Playoff games.

Moose Notes

DONE IT BEFORE:

There are nine players on the Moose who have played in a Game 7 during their pro careers: Nolan Baumgartner, Ryan Parent, Jason Jaffray, Marco Rosa, Keith Seabrook, Joel Perrault, Rick Rypien, Garth Murray & Alexandre Bolduc. Jaffray ('06, '07), Rypien ('06) & Bolduc ('07) are the only players to play a Game 7 with the Moose. Baumgartner's Game 7 came in 2003 with the Vancouver Canucks against the Minnesota Wild. Parent, Jaffray, Rosa, Seabrook, Rypien, & Murray have all won in a Game 7.

SERGEI'S NEW STREAK:

After setting a new franchise record point streak in the regular season (12 games), Sergei Shirokov started a new streak in the postseason and has now recorded a point in all six games (4g, 2a) of the North Division Semi-Final against Lake Erie. He has now tied Manitoba's record point streak in the Calder Cup Playoffs that was set by Yannick Tremblay in 2007, when the defenceman had his own six-game streak (3g, 6a). Shirokov's four goals in six games leads all scorers in the series.

SNAPPING OUT OF IT:

The Moose snapped out of a series-long power play cold streak at a very opportune time. Tied 1-1 in the third period of Game 6, Keith Seabrook scored while on the man advantage giving Manitoba the lead and the eventual game winning goal. It was Manitoba's 26th power play of the series and first PPG. The Moose finished the regular season ranked 26th in power play percentage (14.7%).

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American Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2011


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