Moose Advance

Published on April 16, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Moose played three games in three nights after the regular season ended on April 7. Going to Worcester, Manitoba had to battle through a hard-fought three game qualifying series and defeated the IceCats two games to one when Jimmy Roy notched a double overtime goal in game three for the series-winning goal. They stayed on the road to begin the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series in Bridgeport against the top seeded Sound Tigers. The Moose lost game one 5-0 but will look to bounce back on Tuesday to even the series.

Last week: Tuesday, Apr. 9 - Manitoba 3 vs. Worcester 2: The Moose played their first ever AHL playoff game and were victorious with a come-from-behind score of 3-2. In the first, the hosts started quickly when AHL MVP Eric Boguniecki notched a shorthanded marker just 2:13 into the match. After one, Worcester led 1-0. During the middle frame, Manitoba directed 18 shots at IceCats goalie Reinhard Divis. The Moose couldn't score but Worcester potted one on the power play. After two, the Moose were down by two. Coming out in the third, Moose forward Justin Morrison scored the Moose's first ever AHL playoff goal in franchise history. His marker at the 28 second mark was also the fastest playoff goal to start a period by the team. Jason Cipolla notched a power play goal on a two man advantage. On the same penalty, the visitors struck for another power play tally to take the lead. Moose forward Andre Savage notched the game winner. Manitoba held on to the 3-2 margin and defeated Worcester in the first ever meeting between the two teams.

Wednesday, Apr. 10 - Manitoba 2 vs. Worcester 4: IceCats Joe Hulbig started the scoring at the five minute mark of the first period. With under four minutes left in the first, Daniel Tkaczuk fired a power play tally to up the score to 2-0. Heading into the second, the Moose applied more pressure but were thwarted by Worcester goalie Reinhard Divis. The score remained 2-0 after the middle frame. In the third, the visitors capitalized on a big rebound and Ryan Ready scored his first professional playoff goal in his career at the one minute mark. Worcester stopped the momentum built up by the Moose when they connected on another power play goals by Eric Boguniecki. Manitoba refused to stay down and fought back with a late power play tally when Ready tipped in a point shot from Brian Chapman. The Moose fired 17 shots on net in the third and came close on a couple of attempts to tie the score. Worcester iced the match when they pocketed an empty netter. Divis was solid with 34 saves for first star. Moose netminder Alfie Michaud suffered his first pro loss in the playoffs with his 30 save performance. This sets up a winner-take-all game three at the Centrum Centre.

Thursday, Apr. 11 - Manitoba 3 vs. Worcester 2 (2OT): Manitoba and the IceCats battled through five periods before Jimmy Roy scored to end the third longest game in Moose franchise history. In the first, the Moose jumped out to a quick start. Pat Kavanagh fired the quickest Moose goal to start a playoff game in franchise history at the 37 second mark. Worcester responded quickly with a goal from Jame Pollock. Only a couple of minutes later, IceCats Marc Brown staked the home side to a one goal lead. There was no scoring in the second. Early in the third, Moose regular leading scorer Steve Kariya fired the game tying goal for his first playoff marker this season. After three, it was 2-2 and the deciding final game in this series would be decided in overtime. The match went to double overtime when Moose fan favorite Roy out-waited Divis and pocketed his second double overtime goal in his career. Manitoba won the series 2-1. This was the second time they had captured a playoff series on the road.

Sunday, Apr. 14 - Manitoba 0 vs. Bridgeport 5: To start the game, the visitors had three power play opportunities before the ten minute mark. Manitoba was unsuccessful in those attempts to score the first goal of the series. Bridgeport notched the opening goal of the series when Juraj Kolnik scored his first playoff goal of the 2002 AHL playoffs. Moose goalie Alfie Michaud established a new franchise playoff record for scoreless streak at 98:09 over the last two playoff games. Trent Hunter banged in the second Sound Tigers goal just over two minutes later. After one, Bridgeport led 2-0. In the second, the hosts showed their prowess around the net and pocketed three markers. The Moose tried to end the shutout bid of Sound Tigers netminder Rick DiPietro but to no avail. There was no scoring in the last period and Bridgeport captured a 1-0 series lead with the 5-0 home win.

Up Next: Manitoba (39-33-4-4) vs. Bridgeport (43-25-8-4) - Tues., Apr. 16 - 6:05 p.m., Thurs., Apr. 17 in Wpg., Fri., Apr. 19 in Wpg. (if necessary) - 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Apr. 21 in Bri. (if necessary) - 4:05 p.m.

T.V.: none Radio: CJOB - 5:35 p.m. on Tues., Thurs. & Fri. on 7:05 p.m. and Sun. on 3:35 p.m.

Sound Tigers Watch: Bridgeport finished the regular season with the most points and best record in the AHL with 98 points and 43 wins. Game one in the conference quarterfinal was the first ever meeting between the two teams. The Sound Tigers had the third best power play during the regular season at 19.5%. The team held the second lowest goals against per game during the regular season at 2.40 (80G/192GA). Rick DiPietro was the seventh best goalie in Save Avg. with 2.32 and had the most wins by a netminder at 30. Winger Trent Hunter lead the team in scoring and goals with 65 points (30 goals and 35 assists). Hunter finished the season at +27, good for a fourth place tie in the league. Defenceman Ray Giroux was fifth in defenceman scoring in the regular season with 53 points (13G, 40A). The Sound Tigers allowed the least number of shorthanded markers at four. Bridgeport had the sixth best shots against average per game at 28.23 (80GP/2258S). They averaged 31.856 (80GP/2548S) shots per game during the regular season, good for sixth in the league. The line of Jason Krog (4pts), JurajKolnik (4pts) and Hunter (3pts) combined to registered 11 points in game one.

Notes:

- The Moose completed their road odyssey in Bridgeport. Manitoba played 12 road matches in the last 13 games during a 21 day span. At the end of the regular season, Manitoba had finished a seven game in 11 day road trip with a record of 4-1-1-1. During this road odyssey, the team played in seven different cities, five in the U.S.A. The team had a strong road record during the regular season at 19-17-2-2. With 19 road wins they were tied for third best in the league. Going into Tuesday's match, Manitoba had a 2-2 road record in the 2002 AHL playoffs.

- Jimmy Roy fired his second career playoff goal in his 24th playoff game on Thursday. Both goals have been double overtime game winners and happened during games when the Moose faced elimination.

- Manitoba has set several playoff franchise records this season. Pat Kavanagh scored the fastest goal to start a playoff game in franchise history at 37 seconds. The eight goals allowed in the qualifying series tied the franchise record for fewest goals allowed in a series. The game three double overtime game in Worcester was the third longest game in franchise history at 85:42. Alfie Michaud established the longest scoreless streak in the playoffs at 98:09. Justin Morrison's goal at 28 seconds was the fastest playoff goal to start a period.

- Defenceman Brian Chapman has played in all of the Manitoba Moose playoff matches so far in their history (excluding the three in Minnesota). The captain leads the team in all-time games played as a Moose in franchise history at 27 and played in his 100th pro career playoff game on Thursday. He is followed in second place by Jimmy Roy at 25 and defenceman Justin Kurtz in third spot at 24. Chapman leads all Moose defenceman in scoring so far during the 2002 AHL playoffs with three points.

- The Moose played in the 30th playoff game in franchise history on Sunday. The team now holds a 10-20 record (0-3 record in Minnesota). They have reached the playoffs in six of the eight franchise years and five of the last six seasons while in Manitoba.

- Manitoba was successful in staving off elimination during a best-of-three series for the first time in franchise playoff history when they defeated Worcester 3-2 (2OT) in game three on Thursday. In last year's playoffs, Manitoba rallied from a 3-1 deficit and won three straight games while facing elimination. Overall, the franchise has a record of 4-5 (one loss in Minnesota) when playing elimination games.

- Ryan Ready (2G, 1A) is tied as the team's top scorer with Andre Savage (1G, 2A) and Brian Chapman (0G, 3A). Savage, Ryan Ready and Jason Cipolla each have one power play goal. Alfie Michaud leads the goalies with a 2.93 Avg. and a .883 Save Pct. Savage and Roy have each blasted one GWG. Savage leads Moose players with 12 PIM total. Jason Cipolla, Justin Morrison, Jimmy Roy and Rene Vydareny have a +1 rating.

- During the qualifying series, Manitoba twice fought back and won the game after trailing at the end of the second period. This matched their win total (2) for the same stat through the whole 2001-02 regular season. Manitoba only held the lead for 15:25 during the three game qualifying series. The team holds a 2-0 record when playing a final game in a series (game 3 of best-of-three, game 7 of a best-of-seven).

- At 71.4% (10 for 14), the Moose penalty killing ranks 17th in the AHL playoffs.

- At 15.8% (three for 19), the Moose power play ranks 12th in the AHL playoffs.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2002


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