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Moose Roll Rampage 5-0 On Mike Keane Night

February 12, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


WINNIPEG, MB - Before the Manitoba Moose (29-17-1-5) hosted the San Antonio Rampage (32-20-2-0) in a rematch on Saturday night, the Moose held a pre-game ceremony to former team captain Mike Keane. Known in Winnipeg for having won three Stanley Cups and finishing his pro career playing five seasons with the Moose, Keane had his jersey number 12 retired to the MTS Centre rafters before puck drop. Once the action started, both the Rampage and the 10,498 in attendance were stunned by two quick power play goals by Manitoba's Mario Bliznak and Evan Oberg. Bliznak's stood as the game winner while Eddie Lack made 22 saves for the shutout in a 5-0 win Moose victory.

It had been three whole games without a power play goal for Manitoba's special teams but that streak was brought to a quick end on Saturday night. Just 1:14 into the game, Rampage defenceman Chris Summers was called out for hooking, giving Manitoba their first man advantage of the game. Mario Bliznak then converted a cross ice feed by Bill Sweatt for his seventh goal of the season and Manitoba's first of the night at 2:35.

Then less than a minuate later, San Antonio gave the Moose another power play with Brett MacLean called for tripping. Like deja vu to Rampage penalty killers, the Moose made it two-for-two on guided point shot by Evan Oberg that picked the blocker side of the net past Matt Climie giving Manitoba a 2-0 lead 5:07 into the first period.

Manitoba's special teams was working well on either side of the advantage as the Moose penalty kill was air tight when Sergei Shirokov was called for tripping at 11:37. The Moose preserved their two-goal lead heading into the first intermission while outshooting the visiting Rampage 14-6.

Alexandre Bolduc was re-assigned to Manitoba on Jan. 8 and scored his first goal for the Moose essentially by accident. Bolduc drove to the net, as he often does, and with his back turned to defenceman Travis Ramsey at the point behind him, Bolduc had a shot deflect off his skate and past Climie at 1:10 of the second period. His first AHL goal this season extended Manitoba's lead to 3-0.

A rare sight for Moose fans this season has been the appearance of both Cody Hodgson and Jordan Schroeder. The highly touted Canucks prospects have battled injuries and Hodgson had only be re-assigned by Vancouver on Feb. 11 following a brief call-up. Both rookies, along with fellow rookie and team leading scorer Billy Sweatt, formed one of Manitoba's most dangerous lines in Saturday night's game. Despite being held scoreless through two periods, they produced many of Manitoba's scoring chances in the middle frame.

On a night dedicated to a great member of the Manitoba Moose, the home side were clearly playing a spirited game. They carried a three goal lead into the third period with Moose goalie Eddie Lack stopping all 14 shots he faced through 40 minutes.

The Hodgson-Schroeder-Sweatt line finally saw the scoresheet 0:51 into the third period. While on the power play, Mark Flood threaded a pass across the top of the slot to Hodgson, who turned and fired a slap shot bar-and-in behind Climie's right shoulder. Hodgson's 11th goal of the season and Manitoba's third PPG of the game built their lead up to 4-0 over San Antonio.

The gloves were bound to come off in a game quickly getting out of reach for San Antonio. Guillaume Desbiens fought Rampage forward Bracken Kearns at 4:41 of the third in a one-sided bout that Desbiens ended with one strong connecting punch.

That four goal lead became five midway through the third period. Mario Bliznak attempted to drive from the right corner to the front of the net but had his stick lifted, leaving the puck loose for Shawn Weller to scoop up and rip his ninth of the season past Climie at 9:38.

Manitoba's bench went into an uproar with two minutes to play because of a dangerous hit on Mark Flood by San Antonio's Bracken Kearns. Moose centre Garth Murray skated directly to Kearns and tried start a fight the Rampage forward wasn't willing to be a part of. Kearns received a five minute major and game misconduct for the hit while Murray was given a two for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct.

The Moose ended a one-sided affair with a final score of 5-0 in which Manitoba capitalized on the power play three times and Eddie Lack stopped all 22 shots by the Rampage for his third shutout of the season. Manitoba outshot San Antonio 41-22 in the game.

Manitoba will play four home games next week beginning with a Tuesday-Wednesday series against the Toronto Marlies. Brian Munz brings you the action live on CJOB 68. Listen live online at www.cjob.com.

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