Moose overthrow Monarchs

Published on February 8, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


One powerplay goal, a shorthanded goal, and nearly perfect penalty killing helped push the Manitoba Moose past the Manchester Monarchs 3-2 in Sunday's matinee performance at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Jason Jaffray, Dusty Collins and Guillaume Desbiens all notched goals for the visitors, while Curtis Sanford blocked 19 shots and earned an assist in his third win this season.

After beating the Monarchs in their doubleheader at the MTS Centre in mid-December, the Moose visited Manchester for the first time this season with Curtis Sanford manning the pipes for the visitors opposite Jonathan Bernier.

Manitoba benefited from the first powerplay of the game, when Vladimir Dravecky was penalized for hooking. Although the Moose used the two-minutes to gain the shot lead, they couldn't transmit it into a goal lead and play resumed to five-on-five.

At 12:28, Pierre-Cedric Labrie's roughing call put the Moose on the penalty kill for the first time. Manitoba's penalty killers, second in the league, denied all opposing opportunities and even managed a few offensive surges to kill the time.

The Monarchs were back on the powerplay in the early minutes of the second period when defenseman Zach FitzGerald was served a double-minor high-sticking penalty. Even though the Moose were down a man, they would open the scoring when Jason Jaffray danced around the Monarchs defence to score his first shorthanded goal of the season, 1-0.

A mere 14 seconds later, Manchester's Teddy Purcell snapped the puck between the faceoff circles and straight into the net to knot the game at one.

With the Moose back on the powerplay, Curtis Sanford left his net to clear the puck but a misdirected pass gave Monarchs winger Trevor Lewis possession where he netted an empty-net shorty to earn the lead, 2-1.

8:23 into the final frame and on their 18th shot of the night, the Moose tied things up. Tommy Maxwell slid the puck in front of the net and Dusty Collins earned his second of the season when he slapped it passed Bernier, 2-2.

On their third powerplay the Moose regained the lead with their first man-advantage marker of the night. Jason Jaffray passed the puck over to an eager Guillaume Desbiens, who tipped it in on Bernier's doorstep to record a 3-2 tally.

The Monarchs pulled Bernier and opted for an extra-attacker in the final minute of play, but the last minute surge would not be enough as the Moose defeated the Monarchs 3-2.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Moose continue their 10-game road tour on Wednesday night, when they visit the Hartford Wolfpack for game three of the 10-day stretch.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2009


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