Good To Be Home

Published on January 10, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Moose began last week with a trip to their home away from home in Abbotsford. Diehard Canucks fans often trek from the neighbouring city of Vancouver to check out the farm team whenever the Moose visit the Heat. The Moose returned to Manitoba with a couple wins before hosting their bitter rivals from Hershey. After a pair of nail biters against the Bears, the Moose took part in their third annual Outdoor Practice. This time they practiced in front of fans and signed autographs at Kirkfield Westwood Community Centre.

Monday, January 3, 2011: Manitoba 4, Abbotsford 0 The Moose earned their first win of the New Year as they walked over the Heat in Abbotsford. Sergei Shirokov scored two goals as he continued his offensive tear improving his point streak to seven games. In his first start since Dec. 11, goaltender Tyler Weiman recorded his first shutout of the season stopping all 27 shots by the Heat.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011: Manitoba 2, Abbotsford 1 (OT) After shutting out Abbotsford the night before, the Moose were looking to gain their eighth win in nine games which was an accomplishment easier said than done against a desperate team. The Heat struck first scoring early in the second period, but the Moose came back to tie the game in the third and send it into overtime. Sergei Shirokov scored on the power play in the extra period giving the Moose the win as well as extending his own point streak to eight games.

Friday, January 7, 2011: Manitoba 3, Hershey 4 Eddie Lack, the defending AHL Goaltender of the Month, got the start on Friday as the Moose returned home to take on the Hershey Bears. The Bears scored two goals in the opening minutes stunning the Moose and the hometown crowd. The Moose reacted by controlling the play and outshooting the Bears but were unable to capitalize on power play opportunities. The Bears scored two goals on the power play including one with under a minute remaining giving the Moose their second loss in ten games.

Saturday, January 8, 2011: Manitoba 4, Hershey 3 (OT) The Moose were looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to the Bears the night before, and did just that. Sergei Shirokov stretched his point streak to ten games as the Moose power play significantly improved by capitalizing on three separate occasions including an overtime winner by Marco Rosa. The Moose win gave them their ninth win in eleven games.

Moose Notes

SERGEI STALKING STREAKS: Sergei Shirokov joined illustrious company this past week matching Jason Krog and Brad Moran for Manitoba's longest AHL point streak. Shirokov's second period goal against Hershey on Saturday extended his current point streak to 10 games (9g, 3a). The next streak Shirokov is approaching is the goal scoring streak set by Jason Jaffray (seven games). The Russian has goals in each of Manitoba's last five games.

NO ISSUES WITH INJURIES: When you consider the length of Manitoba's injury list, it would be easy to say injuries have been taking its toll on the Moose. But you wouldn't be able to tell judging by the standings. The Moose have six players out with injury and have accumulated 109 man games lost. Despite that, the Moose are tied for the AHL's best record over the past 10 games (8-2-0-0). Manitoba trails the Hamilton Bulldogs by one point for first place in the North Division.

ALL-TIME SET UP MAN: Nolan Baumgartner extended his own point streak to four games on Saturday against Hershey when the captain racked up two assists including a helper on Marco RosaUs overtime game winning goal. The two assists moved Baumgartner past Bill Bowler for fourth place on ManitobaUs all-time assist leaders. He now has 135 in a Moose uniform. The captain has collected six assists over the past four games and leads all Moose defencemen with 18 points (2g, 16a).

Upcoming Opponents

The Moose play their next six games at home beginning with two against the Milwaukee Admirals later this week. The first of two versus the Admirals is on Thursday night at MTS Centre. The Admirals won the only game in the Manitoba-Milwaukee season series so far this year. Moose head coach Claude Noel was previously the bench boss of the Admirals from 2003-2007 and won a Calder Cup with Milwaukee in 2004.

Player of the Week Nominee

Sergei Shirokov

Sergei Shirokov scored in every game for the Manitoba Moose this past week including both game winning goals while in Abbotsford... Shirokov's goal scroing streak began the previous week as he's now on a five-game goal scoring streak... His most recent goal on Jan. 8 extended his current point streak to 10 games (9g,3a), which ties Manitoba's AHL record also held by Jason Krog and Brad Moran... Shirokov leads Manitoba in scoring with 30 points (15g, 15a) in 37 games...

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American Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2011


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