Moose come back to win shootout

January 21, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Josh Green's sudden-death shootout goal capped a Moose comeback win. Manitoba rallied from being down 2-0 to defeat Wilkes-Barre 3-2 in a shootout.

Nigel Dawes (pictured above) dropped the ceremonial puck before the game. The Winnipegger Dawes was being honoured for his part in Team Canada's gold medal performance at the recent World Junior Championships.

Two surprise starters were in goal for the combatants tonight. Alex Auld got the start for the Moose after Wade Flaherty was injured on a Lee Goren shot in the pre-game skate. Chiodo was also slated to start for the Penguins but got injured in the pre-game skate. Saskatoon Blades netminder Ryan Cyr, whose team played the Brandon Wheat Kings at MTS Centre last night, signed an ATO with Wilkes-Barre before the game and suited up as their backup.

Both teams took early penalties, Jason King for roughing at 23 seconds and Michel Oullet for holding the stick at 56 seconds setting the stage for some four-on-four hockey right at the start.

The best scoring chance early on went to Wilkes-Barre. Colby Armstrong broke in on a two-on-one with Michel Ouellet and his shot beat Auld but rang off the post. Six minutes into the game, the shot count was 6-0 for the visitors.

Marc-Andre Fleury made a great stop on Nolan Baumgartner later in the period. Baumgartner took a pass and directed it on net but Fleury was able to slide across and make the save.

The crowd got ignited late in the first, after Lee Goren tatooed Ross Lupaschuk in a fight, knocking him down in two punches.

After one period of play, the game was scoreless with the Penguins up 7-6 in shots.

Manitoba almost scored the game's first goal early in the second. Lee Goren and Josh Green each had whacks at the puck from in close and Fleury stood tall both times.

The Penguins struck for two quick goals midway through the second.

On a Penguins powerplay, Ryan Whitney blasted a shot that was stopped by Auld. Erik Christensen then picked up the rebound at the side of the net and managed to sneak it in behind Auld on a close backhand.

Matt Hussey then scored 21 seconds later to double the Pens' lead. Hussey took a feed from Shane Endicott from behind the net and rifled it past Auld.

After two, shots were 18-13 for Wilkes-Barre with the score 2-0 for the visitors.

The Moose were swarming around the Penguins' net early in the third. Burrows and Schultz had great chances in close but Fleury butterflied and kept the puck right on the line.

The two Moose players got their revenge on the following shift, when Schultz fed Burrows on a two-on-one. The play was a picture-perfect one-timer as Burrows' shot beat Fleury.

Less than a minute later, the Moose tied it. Tomas Mojzis blasted a shot from the point that eluded a screened Marc-Andre Fleury.

Auld made a good toe stop on Erik Christensen midway through the third to keep the game tied.

After regulation, shots were 32-23 for the Penguins.

The Moose carried the majority of play in overtime, outshooting Wilkes-Barre 4-2.

In the dying seconds of overtime, Marc-Andre Fleury stole the show. He made three brilliant saves in succession off Jason King and Peter Sarno with the third shot coming from King. Fleury made an acrobatic stop.

Auld made a glove stop off Michel Oullet at the start, but Fleury stopped Josh Green.

Kenny Corupe hit the post and Peter Sarno scored for the Moose.

Erik Christensen rifled a shot past Auld from the slot. Jason King's low shot was stopped by Fleury.

Ben Eaves deked around Auld to score Wilkes-Barre's second goal. Justin Morrison's shot was gloved down by Fleury.

Auld made a pad stop on Colby Armstrong. Kevin Bieksa picked the top corner on Fleury.

In the sudden-death shootout portion, Oullet's shot was picked off by Auld setting the table for Josh Green's shootout winner.



American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2005


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