Moose pummel Leafs to take lead in series

Published on April 26, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Manitoba Moose raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first period en route to defeating the St. John's Maple Leafs by a score of 5-2. Wade Flaherty made 22 saves as the Moose took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven North Division Semi-Final.

Wade Flaherty was named as the starting goaltender tonight for Manitoba and Mikael Tellqvist got the nod for St. John's as neither coach waivered from their starting netminder of the first two games.

The Moose got on the board early when Ryan Kesler scored 1:19 in. The initial shot was taken by Jeff Heerema and Kesler was standing right at the doorstep to deposit the rebound into the open net.

Midway through the period, Jimmy Roy was crunched by a Leafs defenceman in the corner of the rink. Roy was shaken up on the play but managed to skate to the bench on hs own strength.

Manitoba went up 2-0 on the next shift. Jeff Heerema's shot managed to sneak its way behind Tellqvist.

1:31 later, Jimmy Roy one-timed a nice pass from Alexandre Burrows into the open net.

On the next shift, Rick Rypien further ignited the boisterous MTS Centre by pummelling the Leafs' Jay Harrison.

Josh Green made it 4-0 when he skated around Carlo Colaiacovo, picked up a Morrison pass from behind the net and fired it in. Manitoba's fourth goal of the game chased Tellqvist from the nets. Jean-Sebastien Aubin came in to replace Tellqvist.

St. John's got one back when Brad Leeb fired a shot from the point that deflected off a Moose defender's stick and beat Flaherty to make it 4-1.

Flaherty made a huge stop at the end of the period to keep Manitoba's three-goal edge.

Shots after the first period were 12-6 Manitoba.

Aubin was tested early in the second when he made a nice blocker save off Heerema, who one-timed a shot from the right faceoff circle.

Nathan Smith regained Manitoba's four-goal lead when he raced down the ice after a loose puck. After picking it up, he cut towards the Leafs net and backhanded it high over Aubin's shoulder.

The Moose almost scored their sixth of the game several minutes later. Jeff Heerema looked to have a wide-open net but Aubin made a spectacular glove stop stretching over to the right side to take away a sure goal.

Aubin came up big again four minutes later, stoning Smith with a pad save on a one-timer from the right slot.

Not to be outdone, Flaherty had some acrobatics of his own, stretching his right pad out to stop David Ling in front of the net.

St. John's scored a powerplay goal late in the middle frame. Jason MacDonald pounded a rebound through the legs of Flaherty to bring the visitors to within three goals.

Shots in the second were 12-11 Moose for a 24-17 overall lead and the score was 5-2 Manitoba.

Flaherty made a big stop early in the third to preserve Manitoba's three-goal edge. Brad Leeb and Matt Stajan skated in on a two-on-none. Stajan fed Leeb but Flaherty was solid in following the shooter across.

The Moose veteran netminder came up huge again later in the period, getting a piece of a Leafs' one-timer and then stopping it on the line before it could trickle in. Jeremy Williams then rang one of the post a minute later as the Leafs continued to be snakebitten.

After a forced turnover in the neutral zone, Jesse Schultz and Peter Sarno broke into the St. John's end on a two-on-one. Sarno fed Schultz, who was stopped on a blocker save by Aubin.

As time was winding down, each side exchanged unpleasantries, setting the stage for what will be a tough, physical Game 4.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2005


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