Moose Hit The Road In Week Three

Published on October 27, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Manitoba Moose extended their winning streak to four-games this weekend in their first and only home series against the Houston Aeros. This is the first time, in the last five home contests against the Aeros, that the Moose have earned a win. This weekend's victory improves Manitoba's record against Houston to 23-14-2-1 (8-9-0-1 at home). Friday night was Manitoba's first win in seven games against Houston.

Friday, October 24, 2008: Manitoba 3, Rochester 1 W

In their first match-up against the Houston Aeros the Manitoba Moose extended their winning streak to three games and snapped the Aeros perfect record at the MTS Centre on Friday night. Mark Cullen, Mario Bliznak and Michel Ouellet were credited with the three Moose goals while net minder Cory Schneider had a nearly perfect night, saving 17 of 18 shots.

Saturday, October 25, 2008: Manitoba 5, Rochester 3 W

For the second night in a row the Moose sacrificed the first goal but answered with five to beat the Houston Aeros Saturday night at the MTS Centre in front of 7098 fans. Dirk Southern, Daniel Rahimi and Darryl Bootland registered their first goals of the season while Cory Schneider stopped 21 attempts for his fourth consecutive win.

Moose Notes

Out Shooting Our Competitors: The Moose registered 31 shots on net in Friday's victory over Houston and 26 on Saturday night while the Aeros had 18 and 24 attempts respectively. In all six-games so far this season the Moose have outshot their opponents and have only had less than 30 shots on net one time (26 vs. Houston on Oct. 25/08). The most shots the Moose have recorded this season is 41 against the Rochester Americans on Oct. 18/08. However, even though the Moose are winning in the shots category they have only scored first one time this season against the Rochester Americans on Oct. 17/08.

Super Mario Bliznak: Friday night proved to be a night of firsts for rookie Mario Blizak who posted his first professional goal and was named first-star of the game after defeating the Houston Aeros 3-1. After six games with the Moose this season, the center man from Slovakia has netted one goal and three helpers to tally four points. He currently holds fifth spot for Manitoba's scoring leaders so far this season. His only goal also proved to be the game winner in Manitoba's first win over the Houston Aeros on Oct. 24/08. Bliznak was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in round seven, #205 overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Outstanding Ouellet: Friday night's 3-1 victory over the Aeros extended Manitoba's winning streak to three games, but even further extended Michel Ouellet's point streak to five games. After playing in five games with the Moose this season Ouellet has earned a total of seven points, with two goals and five assists. Michel Ouellet's five-game point streak is the longest start of season point streak since Brad Moran scored in four consecutive games to begin the 2006-07 season. In 2004-05 Jeff Heerema, Peter Sarno, Ryan Kessler and Jason King all began the season scoring points in the first four games of the year.

Upcoming Opponents

The Moose take their show on the road next week for a seven game road tour. The team will begin their away-stretch in Quad City this Wednesday and end in Rochester on Monday, November 10th.

Player of the Week Nominee

Mike Keane

Moose captain Mike Keane was instrumental in helping the Moose extend their winning streak to four games by chipping in with three points this week and raising his level of intensity to lead his teammates. In Friday's 3-1 victory over the previously undefeated Houston Aeros, Keane set-up the game-winning goal by Mario Bliznak half-way through the final period. He also ended the game a +1 in Saturday's rematch, the then made a fantastic skate pass to Darryl Bootland to set-up his first goal as a Moose and then added another assist on Bootland's empty-netter. Keane also finished Saturday with a shot on net and was again a +1.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2008


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