Moose Look To Sweep Aeros In Game 4

Published on May 19, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


After sweeping the Grand Rapids Griffins for the North Division title, the Manitoba Moose sit with a 3-0 series lead over the Houston Aeros heading into Game 4 on Wednesday night. If the Moose are able to beat the Aeros in Game 4 they will earn their second-ever four game sweep along with their first ever Western Conference Title. Manitoba holds a 10 game winning streak heading into Wednesday night's game -- the longest in playoff history for the franchise.

Friday, May 15, 2009: Manitoba 2, Houston 1

Friday night proved to be a night of firsts for the Manitoba Moose as they won their first-ever AHL Western Conference Final game while Dusty Collins and Mario Bliznak potted their first post-season goals. Cody Hodgson appeared in his first professional game and earned his first professional point. Manitoba's 2-1 victory gives them a 1-0 series lead over the Houston Aeros. Goaltender Cory Schneider was nearly flawless stopping 31 of 32 shots for his eighth consecutive victory.

Saturday, May 16, 2009: Manitoba 5, Houston 2

For the second night in a row the Manitoba Moose rallied for a 5-2 victory over the Houston Aeros to lead the Western Conference Finals 2-0. Michael Grabner scored two goals while Jason Krog, Raymond Sawada and Cody Hodgson all notched singles. Goaltender Cory Schneider stopped 28 of 30 attempts for his ninth consecutive postseason victory.

Monday, May 18, 2009: Manitoba 4, Houston 3

Tied at three goals a piece with four minutes left to play, Michael Grabner scored his second of the night to give the Moose a 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference Final over the Houston Aeros. This 4-3 victory put Manitoba on a 10-game postseason winning streak -- the longest in franchise history. The Moose will look to sweep the Aeros in Game 4 on Wednesday night at the Toyota Center.

Moose Notes

SWEET SWEEP: Embarking on Wednesday's game, the Moose look to sweep the Aeros in four straight games to claim the first Western Conference title in their history. If the Moose are victorious, they will sweep their second consecutive series for the first time ever. The Moose swept the Grand Rapids Griffins in four games for the 2009 North Division Final. Heading into Wednesday's game, the Moose are 10-5 in Game 4. The better news for Manitoba is that they are undefeated in Game 4 in their last seven series. The last time the Moose lost a Game 4 was at the hands of the Chicago Wolves, who defeated Manitoba 4-1 to win the Western Conference Finals in four straight games.

MOOSE ARE A DIME: Monday night's 4-3 victory over the Aeros put the Moose on a 10 game winning streak -- the longest ever in their playoff history. The club has not dropped a game since April 19, 2009 when they suffered a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Marlies. This win also ties the club's longest regular season winning-streak also set at 10 games and achieved twice. Previously, Manitoba's longest post-season winning streak sat at five games from April 24 to May 5, 2006.

SCHNEIDER SHINES: Goaltender Cory Schneider has only allowed 23 goals on 353 shots so far this Calder Cup run. Schneider has come up with a .935 save percentage and 1.76 GAA in his 2009 AHL postseason thus far, leaving him second overall in the league behind Milwaukee's Drew MacIntyre who's Admirals have been eliminated. Schneider has appeared in all 13 playoff games for the Moose and is currently on a 10 game winning streak. In his playoff history, all six of Schneider's losses have been by only one goal, and he has never allowed more than three goals in a playoff loss.

Upcoming Opponent

The Manitoba Moose look to sweep their second opponent in a row on Wednesday night at the Toyota Centre. If the Moose are able to pull of a victory against the Houston Aeros they will earn their second-ever four-game sweep and their first ever Western Conference Title.

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American Hockey League Stories from May 19, 2009


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