Moose draw first blood

Published on May 1, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


After trailing by one-goal for 40 minutes of play, the Manitoba Moose fought back to finish on top of a 2-1 decision in Game 1 of the North Division Finals against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Alexandre Bolduc and Captain Mike Keane both notched goals for Manitoba while goaltender Cory Schneider stopped 21 attempts in front of 7572 fans at the MTS Centre on Friday night.

Grand Rapids Griffins were granted the first powerplay of the game when Mark Fistric was penalized for hooking at 3:06. Manitoba's penalty killers along with two saves by Cory Schneider ensured the visitors stayed off the scoreboard.

At 10:11 Manitoba's powerplay unit made their debut when Justin Abdelkader was called out for holding, but like the Griffins, the Moose were unable to capitalize on their opening man-advantage.

The Griffins opened the scoring at 18:04. Jason Jozsa fired the puck against the back-boards and the puck deflected back towards the net allowing Francis Pare to slip it in, 1-0.

After 40 minutes of play the Moose were leading in shots 20 to 12, but still couldn't break goaltender Jimmy Howard. Both teams went scoreless in the second stanza and the Moose entered the final period with a one-goal deficit.

With Cory Emmerton forced to sit in the sin bin for hooking the Moose embarked on their third man-advantage. 1:16 into the third period, Alexandre Bolduc tipped the puck over Howard's right goal pad to knot the game at one on the powerplay.

Less than two minutes later the Moose struck again. With help from Alexandre Bolduc and Mark Cullen, Captain Mike Keane wired the puck into the net for a 2-1 tally in favor of the home team.

After back-and-fourth play for the remainder of the game and with the Moose still leading in shots 34-22, the home team took Game 1 with a 2-1 score over the Griffins.

LOOKING AHEAD

Tomorrow night, the Moose face the Griffins for Game 2 of the North Division Finals at the MTS Centre.

NEXT GAME

Saturday, May 2, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. @ MTS Centre

(7:05pm on CJOB Radio with Brian Munz & Chris Nielson)

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American Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2009


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