Moose Fall 4-2 In Season Opener

Published on October 11, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


WINNIPEG, MB. -- Player introductions, fireworks, and plenty of scoring opportunities marked the opening game of the 2007-08 season for the Manitoba Moose, but the Grand Rapids Griffins spoiled the party, thanks in large part to stellar goaltending by Jimmy Howard. Moose defencemen Jimmy Sharrow and Shaun Heshka scored for Manitoba, while Howard received first star honours.

Despite the season-opening festivities, the Grand Rapids Griffins fired first and took an early 1-0 lead over the home team on a one-timer by Carl Corazzini. Blessed with an early man-advantage, the Moose attempted to strike back but were unable to slip a shot past Howard. Continuing to press in the Griffins zone, the Moose posted 13 shots to Grand Rapids' four in the first period.

The unbalanced shot-count did nothing to dissuade the Griffins when the game resumed. With Manitoba's Greg Classen in the penalty box for hooking, Grand Rapids' Johan Ryno snapped the puck past Drew MacIntyre to give the Griffins a 2-0 lead on the first powerplay goal of the game.

Tempers flared as Howard stifled Manitoba's 19th shot of the game, and a tussle broke out between Luc Bourdon and Grand Rapids' Brad Ference in the Griffins crease. The Moose defender was named instigator and Manitoba's penalty killers were tested for the fourth time. Although they failed to capitalize on the man advantage, Griffins winger Brett Engelhardt pounced on a rebound shortly after the penalty passed and put the visitors up 3-0.

But the powerplay tables turned near the five-minute mark. With two Griffins in the box and Howard manning his crease without a stick, Moose defenceman Jimmy Sharrow sniped a shot from the point score his first goal as a Moose and the club's first of the season. Unfortunately for the Moose, the two-goal gap soon returned to three as Grand Rapids' Randall Gelech scored his first of the season with just over two minutes left in the middle frame.

It was four-on-four hockey for the first minute of the third, but both teams remained at full-strength through most of the final frame. With three minutes remaining in the game, Moose defenceman Shaun Heshka managed to trickle the puck past Howard to close the gap, but it was too little, too late for Manitoba and the Griffins took Game 1 by a 4-2 score.

LOOKING AHEAD: Manitoba hosts the rematch with Grand Rapids Saturday, Oct. 13 at the MTS Centre. The Moose then host the Rochester Americans Oct. 16 & 17 before heading on their first road trip of the season, starting Oct. 19 in Rochester.

NEXT GAME: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2007 (MTS CENTRE - WINNIPEG, MB.)

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American Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2007


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