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Moose continue series with Amerks

May 11, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Manitoba Moose split a pair of games against the Rochester Americans at the Blue Cross Arena last week, and won a thrilling 5-4 overtime game on Monday to hold a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven North Division Final with the Amerks.

The Moose carried a 2-0 lead into the third period last Wednesday only to have Rochester score four unanswered goals to win the series opener 4-2. On Friday, Wade Flaherty made 31 saves to lead Manitoba to a 1-0 win. Monday, the Moose overcame a pair of two-goal deficits and scored a pair of goals in the game's final ten minutes before Jeff Heerema's overtime goal won the game.

The North Division Final continues this week with games Wednesday and Friday at the MTS Centre and, if necessary, Sunday back in Rochester.

MOOSE NOTES

Home Sweet Home In the Playoffs: While the Manitoba Moose struggled to find their stride on home-ice during the regular season finishing with a record of 22-14-1-2, they are undefeated in the playoffs at the MTS Centre. Entering Wednesday's Game 4 of the North Division Final against the Rochester Americans, the Moose have now won six straight on home-ice including a pair of wins over the Cleveland Barons to round out the regular season. In the playoffs, the Moose have now won four in a row. In their history, the Moose have only won seven consecutive games on home-ice once in their history (11/10- 11/25/99). On two separate occasions during the 2004-05 season, the Moose were only able to string together three straight wins.

Moose Working Magic in Overtime: With Jeff Heerema's overtime winning goal at 10:22 of the extra-frame in Game 3 of the North Division Final, Manitoba ran its record to 2-0 in overtime games this post-season. The Moose franchise record for the most overtime victories in a playoff season is three back in 2001. Jimmy Roy and Steve Brule scored overtime winners that year against the Houston Aeros back in old International Hockey League, followed by an overtime winner by Dan Kesa in the second round in Game 3 versus the Chicago Wolves. However, this post-season and 2001 are the only playoff years the Moose have won more than one overtime game.

Lee Lighting the Lamp In Record-Setting Fashion: With a pair of powerplay goals in Game 3 of the North Division Final against the Rochester Americans, Manitoba Moose forward Lee Goren tied the franchise mark for the most goals in a playoff season with seven. Pat Kavanagh scored seven goals back in 2003. Goren now has three goals in the North Division Final versus Rochester after scoring four against the St. John's Maple Leafs in the North Division Semi-Final. Goren's four powerplay goals are a Moose playoff record. Previously, seven former Moose held the record with two powerplay goals in a playoff season (Pat Kavanagh ‘03, Ryan Ready ‘02, Andre Savage '02, Rusty Fitzgerald '01, Sean Pronger '01, Bill Bowler '99, Ralph Intranouvo '98). Goren's team-leading 10 points this playoff season moves him into a tie for fourth all-time in Moose playoff scoring.

Kesler Corralling Both Ends of the Rink: Manitoba Moose forward Ryan Kesler enters tonight's Game 4 of the North Division Final against the Rochester Americans with the best +/- rating in Moose playoff history at +10. Jimmy Roy held the previous franchise record for best +/- rating in a playoff season at +6. Kesler finished the regular season second on the team with a +22 rating. On the flip-side, only five members of the Moose enter tonight's Game 4 with a minus rating (Jimmy Roy, Alex Burrows, Rick Rypien –1, Josh Green, Peter Sarno –3).

It's Never Over ‘til Its Over: With Monday's 5- 4 come-from-behind overtime win in Game 3 of the North Division Final against the Rochester Americans, the Manitoba Moose captured their eighth win of the season (including regular season) when trailing after two periods of play.

Manitoba's seven victories in such situations was tied for the second-most in the American Hockey League during the regular season. The Moose have trailed only one other time entering the third period of play this playoff season and, as a result, are now 1-1. In their history, the Moose are now 7-22 when trailing after two periods and are 5-9 since joining the AHL back in 2002.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Rochester Americans

Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 13, 7:30 p.m. Radio: CJOB 68

Venue: MTS Centre

The Moose will play Game 4 on Wednesday and Game 5 on Friday of their North Division Final with the Rochester Americans at the MTS Centre. Game 6, if necessary, will be played on Sunday at Rochester... The series is currently 2-1 in favour of Manitoba three games into the playoff round... With five points in three games so far in this round, Derek Roy now leads the Amerks in scoring with ten points (6g, 4a) in seven games overall... Chris Taylor ranks second with nine points (1g, 8a)... Paul Gaustad has five goals in seven games although only one in this series so far... Thomas Vanek has five points (2g, 3a) in five games, though did not register a point on Monday in his only action in the North Division Final. Goaltender Ryan Miller has played all seven postseason games for the Amerks, with a 2.38 goals-against average and .917 save percentage... Peter Sarno had nine points in four games (4g, 5a) against the Amerks in the regular season and has four points in three games so far in these playoffs against Rochester... Lee Goren had seven points (3g, 4a) and was +6 versus Rochester in the regular season. Goren, Josh Green and Sarno lead the way for the Moose against the Amerks after three games with four points apiece... Wade Flaherty is 2-1 in three games with a 2.22 GAA and .920 save percentage.

CALDER CUP MOOSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Lee Goren

3 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS, +3

The Calder Cup Player of the Week for the Manitoba Moose for the period of May 2 through May 9 is right wing Lee Goren. In three games, Goren scored two goals and added two assists for four points. Goren had an assist in last Wednesday's game against the Americans. Goren then scored a pair of key powerplay goals this past Monday and added an assist to help lead the Moose to a 5-4 overtime win over Rochester.

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