Moose Clinch Playofff Berth In Week 24

March 23, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Manitoba Moose clinched a playoff berth in Week 24 by earning victories over the Rochester Americans (4-3SOW), Chicago Wolves (6-3W) and a shootout loss to Rockford (2-3SOL). With the two victories, Manitoba tied the franchise record for most road wins in a single season with 24. Goaltender Cory Schneider suited up for both victories and also tied a franchise record for most wins by a goaltender in a single campaign with 26 (also held by Wade Flaherty; 2005-06).

Wednesday, March 18, 2009: Manitoba 4, Rochester 3 (SO)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009: Manitoba 4 -Rochester 3 SOW The Manitoba Moose snapped their two game losing streak with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena. Fourteen shots were fired in the shootout but Captain Mike Keane was the only sniper who was able to score and earned the game-winner for Manitoba. Jason Krog, Dusty Collins and Guillaume Desbiens all notched goals in regulation time while goaltender Cory Schneider stopped 28 shots for his 25th victory this season.

Friday, March 20, 2009: Manitoba 6, Chicago 3

In their fourth and final meeting the Manitoba Moose beat the Chicago Wolves 6-3 to earn their 46th victory of the season at the Allstate Arena on Friday night. Greg Rallo earned his first two-goal game, Jason Krog recorded three helpers, while Mark Cullen, Michael Grabner, Matt Pope and Guillaume Desbiens all notched singles. Goaltender Cory Schneider tied the franchise record for most wins by a goaltender in a single season by stopping 32 shots for his 26th victory this campaign.

Saturday, March 21, 2009: Manitoba 2, Rockford 3 (SO)

The Manitoba Moose dropped their fourth and final game to the Rockford IceHogs in a 3-2 shootout decision on Saturday night at the MetroCentre. Jason Krog and Nolan Baumgartner both notched powerplay goals for Manitoba in regulation time while Curtis Sanford stopped 33 shots for only his third shootout loss this season.

Moose Notes

BREAKING ROAD RECORDS: After registering a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Wolves on Friday night, the Manitoba Moose broke a franchise record for most road wins in a single season with 24. In two seasons (1998-99 & 2007-08), the club earned 23 wins when playing away from the MTS Centre. The team is also now only two wins away from breaking Manitoba's total win record for a season, which is currently 47 (1998-99).

26 FOR SCHNEIDER: Cory Schneider won his 26th game of the season on Friday night and as a result, tied the current record for most wins in a single season by a Moose goalie (26, held by Wade Flaherty, 2005-06). Schneider, who holds a 26-6-1 record, 1.91GAA, 0.929SV% and five shutouts, is currently on pace to smash a number of franchise records for goalies including goals against average (2.17, Drew MacIntyre, 2006-07), save percentage (0.922, Drew MacIntyre, 2006-07) and shutouts (6, Wade Flaherty, 2005-06).

NICE VIEW FROM THE TOP: By pulling out a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Wolves Friday night, the Moose maintained their first place status in the entire AHL, the North Division as well as the Western Conference. With 97 points, the Moose are still four points ahead of Grand Rapids for the division lead and two points ahead of Milwaukee for the AHL lead. In terms of possible first round playoff opponents, the Bulldogs are 10 points up on the Marlies for third in the North Division, but only five points behind the second-place Griffins. The Marlies hold a three point edge on Syracuse for the final playoff spot.

Upcoming Opponents

The Manitoba Moose are back in white for their next six games when the host the Syracsue Crunch (Mar. 24-25/09), Hamilton Bulldogs (Mar. 27 & 29/09, and the Toronto Marlies (Apr. 3-4/09) at the MTS Centre.

Player of the Week Nominee

Jason Krog

For the seventh time this season, Jason Krog has been nominated for AHL Player of the Week. Krog appeared in all three games for the Moose this week, scoring two goals and added five assists for seven points. As a result, Krog vaulted to third overall in scoring in the AHL with 76 points in 65 games. On Wednesday, Krog opened the scoring and then set-up the game-tying goal in Manitoba's 3-2 shootout win over Rochester. Then on Friday, he collected three assists in a 6-3 Moose win over his former club, the Chicago Wolves. He wrapped up the week with another powerplay goal and an assist in a 3-2 shootout defeat to Rockford. Krog now has 21 multi-point games this season for the Moose and has now scored 13 points in his last eight games. He is on a three-game multi-point streak and a four-game point streak overall. He is third in the league in assists with 51 and now leads the team in powerplay goals with eight. He finished the week even in the plus/minus ranking which means he still leads the Moose in this category with a +23 rating which is tied for fifth in the AHL.



American Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2009


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