Moose Increase Home Undefeated Streak to Six Games

Published on November 25, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Last week, the Moose continued their six-game homestand with two weekend contests. The team swept the weekend series (5-3 and 4-3 wins) against the Saint John Flames and extended their home unbeaten streak to a season-high of six games. The team moved within three points of first spot in the Canadian Division with 23 points. This week, Manitoba hosts the Utah Grizzlies. The weekend doubleheader series is on Friday and Saturday with game time both nights at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Last week: Friday, Nov. 22 - Saint John 3 vs. Manitoba 5: The Moose looked to extend their season-high home unbeaten streak to five games against Saint John. In an exciting and fast-paced game, the Moose skated to a 5-3 victory. In the first period, Saint John scored first when Matthew Lombardi notched his sixth. The home side responded with the first of the night by Zenith Komarniski. After one, 1-1. In the middle frame, Saint John regained the lead before the Moose stormed back with a power play tally by Fedor Fedorov. After two, 2-2. In the final period, third star Komarniski scored his second of the game while the team was shorthanded. Lombardi evened the score for the Flames. The Moose received the eventual game-winner from defenceman Jaroslav Obsut on the power play. Steve Kariya iced the game with an empty netter. The Moose won 5-3 and improved their home unbeaten streak to five. Manitoba outshot Saint John 30-29. The hosts went 2-9 on the PP while the Flames were shut down on five of seven PP opportunities. Bryan Helmer had two assists for first star.

Saturday, Nov. 23 - Saint John 3 vs. Manitoba 4: Manitoba was looking for the weekend sweep against the Saint John Flames on Saturday. After a hard hitting, fast-paced game, the home side prevailed 4-3. In the first, the Moose jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Zenith Komarniski fired his sixth of the season. Justin Kurtz and Jaroslav Obsut added markers and the hosts were leading 3-0 after only the ten minute mark of the contest. Saint John cut the lead with their own power play goal and Steve Kariya notched his eighth of the season to increase the score to 4-1. Kariya extended his personal streak to seven games. Saint John scored with one second left in the period and the margin was 4-2 for Manitoba. There was no scoring in the second period. In the third, Saint John fired 17 shots but could only put one past recently assigned Moose goalie Peter Skudra. Manitoba won 4-3 and extended their home unbeaten streak to six games (longest this season). Saint John outshot the Moose 32-19. The Moose went 2-6 while the Flames were shut out on their six PP chances. Komarniski was named first star while Kurtz was selected third star.

Up Next: Utah (10-9-0-1) vs. Manitoba (10-8-3-0) - Fri., Nov. 29 & Sat., Nov. 30 - 7:30 p.m.

T.V.: none Radio: CJOB - 7:05 p.m. both games

Grizzlies Watch: The Grizzlies are coming off three consecutive wins last week. The week started with a 3-2 home win against Philadelphia. They followed that result with a 2-1 OTW against the Phantoms on Wednesday and took a road overtime win against Chicago on Thursday. Utah sit in third place in the West Division with 21 points and are three points behind Milwaukee for second spot. This is the first meeting of the season between the two clubs. Last season, Manitoba held a 5-2-0-1 record versus Utah.

The Grizzlies are led by 2002 Deutschland Cup gold medalist Jon Sim (6g, 16a) with 22 points which is tied for fifth best in the league. Sim also leads the team with 16 assists, the second most in the AHL. Sim is currently on a seven-game point streak (11/03-). John Erskine is the league leader with 130 penalty minutes. Centreman Jim Montgomery (7g, 13a) has 20 points which places him in the AHL Top 20 scoring. He is tied with Eric Landry for the team lead with seven markers. Corey Hirsch has a team-high six wins and a 3.00 Avg. His 406 saves is third best in the league. Utah plays Chicago on Wednesday before flying to Winnipeg to play the Moose.

Moose Notes:

- The undefeated home streak has reached six games - longest so far this season.

- Steve Kariya had two goals last week to extend his team-high point streak to eight games. The streak started way back on Oct. 26 vs. Springfield. He missed three AHL games (Nov. 8-12) due to his commitments with Team Canada during the 2002 Deutschland Cup and did not play on Nov. 16 due to injury. During the eight games, Kariya has pocketed nine points (five goals, four assists).

- The Moose crossed the 700 points barrier in franchise history on Saturday. Counting the Minnesota years, the record expands to 674GP, 307W-280L-7T-80OTL (SOL)= 701PTS. Overall during the Manitoba Moose seven year history, the record stands at 511 GP, 243W-200L-7T-61OTL (SOL)= 554PTS.

- The Moose played their 101st AHL game on the weekend. Manitoba's AHL record is now 49-41-7-4.

- Zenith Komarniski earned first star on Saturday and third star on Friday night. He registered three goals (one on the power play) on the weekend. He now has six goals and four assists this season.

- The Moose have recorded a 7-1-2-0 mark at the Winnipeg Arena over the first 10 home games. Last season, the squad was 5-3-0-2 at home. In previous years the franchise records were: 7-2-1 (2000-01), 6-2-2 (1999-00), 6-2-2 (1998-99), 4-5-1 (1997-98), 4-6-0 (1996-97).

- The Moose used their third goalie of the season on Saturday. Peter Skudra was assigned by Vancouver for conditioning and stopped 29 shots to earn the win.

- After missing seven games due to injury, defenceman Bryan Helmer earned first star in his first game back for his two assists on Friday.

- After the first 20 games, the Moose record stood at 9-8-3-0. Last year the squad was 10-8-0-2. In previous years, the franchise held records of : 13-5-2 (2000-01), 10-7-3 (1999-00), 14-3-3 (1998-99), 9-10-1 (1997-98), 7-10-3 (1996-97).

- For the first time since the season opener on Oct. 11, the team dressed a starting defence lineup with Darrell Hay, Nolan Baumgartner, Rene Vydareny, Brian Chapman, Bryan Helmer and Jaroslav Obsut on Fri., Nov. 22. During the previous 19 matches, the blueline core missed 24 games due to injury/illness, 10 games with Baumgartner in Vancouver and one game due to the veteran rule.

- Ryan Ready (11g, 11a) leads the team with 22 points which is good for a tie for fifth in the AHL scoring race. His 11 goals is a team high and tied for third in the league. Ready has scored seven PPG which is tied for the league lead.

- Alex Auld has six wins and has a team-leading 3.06 Avg.

- Brandon Reid leads the Moose with 11 assists.

- Tyler Bouck leads with 60 PIM.

- Justin Kurtz (4g, 10a) leads Moose defencemen with 14 points and sits in a tie for seventh spot for AHL defenceman scoring. He earned third star for his two points (1g, 1a) in Saturday's match.

- Defenceman Darrell Hay leads the team with a +6 rating.

- Manitoba has taken 33.67 shots per game (21g/707s), good for third in the league.

- The team's penalty kill ranks 24th with 81.5 % (22g/119a)

- Manitoba ranks tenth in power play with 17.4% (25g/144a)

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American Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2002


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