Home Stretch

Published on March 21, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Before this season when the AHL schedule was set, management and coaching staff of the Manitoba Moose were pleased to see their team begin the season on the road and finish up at home. It's time for the Moose to reap the benefits of that schedule with 10 of their final 13 games set at MTS Centre. Manitoba won only one of four games at home last week but play their next four against North Division rivals from Abbotsford and Rochester.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011: Manitoba 0, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2 The Moose had one day to collect themselves following a stretch of 11 road games before hosting the top ranked team in the AHL. The Penguins gave the Moose all they could handle outshooting the home team 38-23 and keeping Manitoba off the scoreboard. Wilkes-Barre's Geoff Walker and Ben Street each scored as the Penguins marched to a 2-0 Tuesday night win.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011: Manitoba 1, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 4 The Moose came out to a much stronger start in the rematch against the Penguins finding the score sheet in the first period with a power play goal by Joel Perrault. The Moose held onto their lead until midway through the third period, even after surrendering 20 shots in the second. The Penguins Bryan Lerg scored at 11:56, making way for Wilkes-Barre's vaunted offence who scored two more in the next 1:41. Manitoba couldn't recover from the late goal outburst and dropped the game 4-1.

Friday, March 18, 2011: Manitoba 4, Texas 3 On Military Appreciation Night, the Moose attempted to set a physical tone early by starting forwards were Garth Murray, Aaron Volpatti, and Rick Rypien in his first game with the Moose since Apr. 28/08. The tactic backfired with the Stars scoring 23 seconds in. The Moose then took control offensively instead by scoring the next three goals including one on the power play and one shorthanded. Sergei Shirokov added his 20th goal late in the second period and the Moose held on for a 4-3 win.

Sunday, March 20, 2011: Manitoba 1, Texas 5 Nothing seemed to go Manitoba's way in this Sunday afternoon tilt with the first goal of the game bouncing off the back of Moose goalie Eddie Lack's paddle and across the goal line. Former member of the Manitoba Moose Greg Rallo hung three goals on his former team leading his Texas Stars to a convincing 5-1. Joel Perrault scored Manitoba's only goal of the game with a one-time slap shot early in the third period.

Moose Notes

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY: There's been no rest on Sunday for the Moose on several occasions this season. Mar. 27 will be the eighth time the Moose have played on the seventh day of the week and the second consecutive week. They have a record of 2-5-0-0 this season when playing on Sunday. Two of those seven games have been played at MTS Centre but only one start at noon, on Jan. 23 when Manitoba beat Abbotsford 5-3. That game was televised on CBC, as will this Sunday's final season matchup with the Heat. The Moose are 2-0-0-0 in games on CBC this season.

TOUGH GO FOR PERRAULT: A lower body injury in early January kept Moose centre Joel Perrault off the ice for 27 games. Perrault scored on the power play on Wednesday, snapping a goal drought that began prior to the injury and lasted 13 games total. Before Wednesday, the last time he'd scored was on Dec. 17/10 against the Houston Aeros. Perrault scored his second goal since Dec. 17 two games later against the Texas Stars.

RYPIEN BACK IN ANTLERS: Forward Rick Rypien began his pro hockey career with the Moose in 2005 at the age of 19. He went on to play three seasons split between the Moose and Vancouver Canucks, totaling 105 games, 37 points (16g, 21a) and 243 penalty minutes with Manitoba. Rypien dressed for the Moose in the weekend series against the Texas Stars. Prior to Friday night's game, his last appearance with the Moose was on Apr. 28/08 when Manitoba was eliminated by Syracuse from the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Upcoming Opponents

Vs. Heat - Mar. 25 & 27 - 7:30 p.m. & 12:00 p.m.

The Moose currently share a lead in the North Division and face their rivals from Abbotsford in an important weekend series. The Moose host the Heat on Friday and Sunday with the final game of their season series broadcasted on CBC. The Moose are 4-0-0-2 in their previous six games against the Heat this season. Their most recent game against the Heat was a nationally televised 5-3 win for the Moose on Jan. 23.

Player of the Week Nominee

Joel Perrault

Centre Joel Perrault scored Manitoba's only goal in two separate losses this week... This is Perrault's second player of the week nomination this season... His goal on Mar. 16 was his first since Dec. 17/10 as he missed 27 games due to injury between Jan. 3 and Mar. 5... Perrault scored his 100th AHL goal on Sunday vs. Texas...

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American Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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