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Moose Head To Playoffs On Winning Note

April 11, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


In their final game of the 2008-09 regular season the Manitoba Moose finished on top of a 4-1 decision against the Lake Erie Monsters in front of 17,627 fans at the Quicken Loans Arena. Taylor Ellington and Nolan Baumgartner scored singles for Manitoba while Michael Grabner notched a pair to bring his total to 30 goals this season. Curtis Sanford stopped 22 of 23 shots in the clubs 50th victory this campaign. The Moose can now focus on their first-round playoff opponent, the Toronto Marlies. The Moose-Marlies series gets underway Wednesday, April 15th at the MTS Centre.

It only took three minutes for a fight to erupt between tough contenders Nathan McIver and Brandon Biggers in the visiting zone. After the fight concluded, both guilty parties were handed five-minute fighting majors, with an additional two-minute roughing minor and game misconduct given to Biggers. Manitoba was able to bring their shot count to five on the man-advantage but couldn't break Tyler Weiman to open the scoring.

Lake Erie's powerplay unit made their debut at 18:18 when Zack FitzGerald was penalized with a double-minor for butt-ending. Manitoba's penalty killers, fifth in the AHL, along with key saves by Curtis Sanford ensured the Monsters wouldn't break their goose-egg on their first man-advantage.

The Moose struck first 3:10 into the second period. In his professional debut, defenseman Taylor Ellington fired the puck from the point and into the net to record his first pro goal and put the Moose in a 1-0 lead.

After the goal, Manitoba earned their second powerplay opportunity when Matt Hendricks was put away for hooking. Set up in the Monsters zone, Shaun Heshka faked a shot from the centre point before feeding the puck to a ready Nolan Baumgartner. After the home team's defense reacted to Heshka's false move, Baumgartner riffled it passed Weiman for a two-goal lead.

The Moose extended their lead even further when Guillaume Desbiens' rebound was redirected into the net by Michael Grabner, his 29th of the season, for Manitoba's third unanswered goal of the night.

The Monsters made their way onto the score board 8:24 into the third period. Ryan Wilson wrapped the puck around Sanford's pad and Mark McCutcheon jammed it in for a 3-1 tally.

Back and forth play consumed the remainder of the third period and several clutch saves by Sanford kept the Moose in the lead. The Monsters opted for an extra attacker in the final minute pulling, Weiman from his crease. With a defensive slip up, Michael Grabner was able to net his 30th of the season on the empty net to confirm a 4-1 victory for the Moose.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Manitoba Moose embark on the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs when they take on the Toronto Marlies in Game 1 of the North Division Semi-Finals on Wednesday night.

NEXT GAME

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. @ MTS Centre

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



American Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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