Moose at .500 Mark at All-Star Break

February 3, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Last week, the Moose went 3-1 after sweeping a home series against the Chicago Wolves (4-3W on Jan. 28, 5-4W on Jan. 29) and splitting a road series with AHL-leading Hamilton Bulldogs (3-2L on Jan. 31, 3-2OTW on Feb. 1). The Moose are at the .500 mark with a 24-24-4-0 record at the AHL All-Star Break. They resume playing on Wednesday with a two game series with the Manchester Monarchs and then finish the road trip in Springfield and Providence. The Moose remain in second spot in the Canadian Division with 52 points.

Last week: Tuesday, Jan. 28 - Chicago 3 vs. Manitoba 4: The visitors started the scoring in the first. They added a second marker when Simon Gamache fired his 18th of the season. After one, Wolves 2-0. Justin Morrison, playing in his first game with Manitoba this season, notched his first Moose tally of the campaign. Newcomer Chris Herperger registered his sixth of the season. He extended his personal goal scoring streak to five games - a team high this season. Herperger scored in his first five games since becoming a Moose (a team record). Chicago added a third goal to end the period scoring. After the second, Wolves 3-2. Fedor Fedorov blasted his tenth and Justin Kurtz pocketed his fifth for the game-winner. This was the first time during the 2002-03 season that the Moose overcame a second period deficit. Manitoba won 4-3.

Wednesday, Jan. 29 - Chicago 4 vs. Manitoba 5: The visitors opened the scoring in the first but Bryan Helmer blasted home a shot to even the game. Chicago regained the lead but the Moose bounced back with an equalizer on the power play from Herbert Vasiljevs. Nolan Baumgartner and Helmer assisted on the play. Baumgartner extended his point streak to six games. After one, 2-2. In the middle frame, Justin Kurtz snuck in from the point to score his second goal in as many nights. Justin Morrison potted his second on the power play to give the Moose a 4-2 lead heading into the third. Jimmy Roy added an insurance goal (the eventual game-winner) with a blast for his fifth of the season. The Wolves battled back but the final 5-4.

Friday, Jan. 31 - Manitoba 2 vs. Hamilton 3: The first Moose TV game of the season brought high energy and hard-hitting from both clubs. The Bulldogs opened the scoring when Chad Hinz fired a shot past Alex Auld. After one, the hosts led 1-0. In the second, Manitoba continued to apply the pressure yet the Bulldogs registered the next goal when Tomas Plekanec notched his 13th. After two, Bulldogs 2-0. The home side increased their advantage to three with Plekanec's second of the night. The visitors continued to attack and were finally rewarded with a nice deflection goal by Justin Morrison halfway through the final frame. Rookie Jason King notched his team-leading 15th less than two minutes later and the Moose were only down one. A frantic finish occurred with several close calls for the equalizer but Hamilton held onto a 3-2 win.

Saturday, Feb. 1 - Manitoba 3 vs. Hamilton 2 (OT): The home side opened the scoring in the first when AHL leading scorer Jason Ward notched his 22nd of the season. Justin Kurtz fired home his seventh on the power play to tie the score at one heading into the second period. Justin Morrison and Chris Herperger assisted on the play. Moose leading scorer Brandon Reid ripped his 13th of the campaign and Manitoba led 2-1. The hosts added their second when Ward potted his second marker of the contest. After two, the score was 2-2. There was no scoring in the third as Manitoba successfully killed off a five minute penalty. In overtime, the Moose dominated play with three shots and were rewarded with a game-winner from Kurtz at the 51 second mark to beat the Bulldogs 3-2.



American Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2003


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