Moose Move Into First Place In Week 15

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


The Manitoba Moose earned six of a possible eight points in Week 15, with their only loss coming Jan. 13/09 to the Milwaukee Admirals (1-2L). Jason Krog recorded a hat-trick Jan. 16/09 against Grand Rapids, and continues to lead Manitoba with 43 points. Michael Grabner scored in all but one game this week, increasing his team lead in goals to 19. Cory Schneider had his franchise record 13 consecutive win streak snapped on Jan. 13/09 (1-2L), but recorded a shutout the following evening (4-0W) against Milwaukee, his second shutout of the season. Schneider is still the league's top goaltender with a 1.53 GAA, and a record of 15-2-0.

Tuesday, January 13, 2008: Manitoba 1, Milwaukee 2

The Milwaukee Admirals defeated the Manitoba Moose 2-1 on Tuesday night, making them the sole owner of top spot in the Western Division with 56 points. Prior to Tuesday's battle, the two clubs' were tied for first place in the conference with 54 points apiece. Michel Ouellet scored the lone goal for the Moose, while Cory Schneider blocked 20 of 22 shots. Former Moose tender, Drew MacIntyre, earned the win for the Admirals by allowing one goal on 28 attempts as well as first star honours.

Wednesday, January 14, 2008: Manitoba 4, Milwaukee 0

After dropping a 2-1 decision to the Milwaukee Admirals Tuesday, the Moose got the payback they sought shutting out the visiting Admirals 4-0 in the rematch on Wednesday night. Michel Ouellet notched the first, extending his goal streak to two games, Raymond Sawada scored his third of the season and Michael Grabner netted his 16th and 17th of this campaign. Cory Schneider faced 34 attempts and denied them all, earning his second shutout of the season. Splitting their first and only series at the MTS Centre this season, the Moose and Admirals once again shared top spot in the Western Conference with 56 points each.

Friday, January 16, 2009: Manitoba 6, Grand Rapids 4

The Moose and Griffins began Friday night tied for first place in the North Division, but after Manitoba downed the hometown Griffins 6-4, the Moose became sole owners of top spot with 58 points. Jason Krog netted his first hat trick of the season while Jason Jaffray, Guillaume Desbiens, and Michael Grabner netted singles. Cory Schneider stopped 26 shots for his 15th win this campaign.

Saturday, January 17, 2009: Manitoba 1, Lake Erie 0

It was a game for goaltenders at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio as the Manitoba Moose faced the Lake Erie Monsters. Jason Bacashihua allowed a single goal on 27 Manitoba shots, keeping his team in the game, while Curtis Sanford earned a shutout win stopping all 26 Lake Erie shots in his Moose debut. Michael Grabner scored his 19th goal of the season in the first period, which proved to be the game winner.

Moose Notes

NICE VIEW FROM THE TOP: After week 15, the Moose moved into sole possession of first place in the North Division, two points ahead of the Grand Rapids Griffins, and now also hold top spot in the Western Conference. Manitoba has finished in first place in their division only once since the club joining the AHL back in 2006-07 (45-23-7-5), earning 102 points.

SAY HELLO TO THE SANDMAN: The Moose welcomed a third goaltender to their roster on Thursday afternoon when 29-year-old Curtis Sanford was assigned to Manitoba by the Vancouver Canucks. Sanford manned the pipes for Manitoba on Saturday night against the Monsters and stopped all 26 shots for a shutout in his Moose debut. So far this season, Sanford has played 19 games with the Canucks, earning a 7-8-0 record, 2.59 GAA, and 0.906 SV%. Prior to his two seasons with the Canucks, the Ontario native played two seasons (65 games) with the St. Louis Blues (21-25-10). The Moose are heavy on the back-end with Cory Schneider and Karl Goehring also backstopping the Manitoba club. Schneider is the top goaltender in the AHL with a 0.941 SV% and 1.53 GAA where Goehring holds a 0.903 SV% and 2.61 GAA.

Upcoming Opponents

The Manitoba Moose finish their six game road trip this week by facing off against the Hamilton Bulldogs (Jan. 21), Rochester Americans (Jan. 23) and Syracuse Crunch (Jan. 24). The team will then resume action the following Thursday (Jan.29/09) against the Rockford IceHogs at the MTS Centre.

Player of the Week Nominee

Jason Krog

For the second time in three weeks and third time this season, Moose centre Jason Krog is the team's nominee for AHL Player of the Week. Krog appeared in all four games for the Moose this week and scored his fifth career hat trick, as well as adding an two assists in the week...Krog began the week by collecting an assist on Manitoba's lone goal in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Admirals. However, on Friday, Krog scored three goals and added an assist to become the first Moose player this year to score four points in a game and the first since Apr. 5/08. His second goal of the game proved to be his second game-winning goal of the season. Krog finished the week with nine shots on net and was a +5. As a result, the AHL All-Star continues to lead the team in scoring with 43 points and assists with 30.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2009


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