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Moose Shot Down By Americans 4-1

April 1, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Manitoba Moose (42-28-1-5) entered Friday's game in Rochester with a chance to clinch a spot in the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs. But the Americans (31-36-4-4), who sit six spots back of the Moose in the North Division, had other plans as they upset the visitors in front of 4,750 fans at Blue Cross Arena. The Americans staked a 4-0 lead before the game's midway point. From there, Marc Cheverie shut the door on the Moose making 36 stops and backing his team to a 4-1 victory.

Moose forward Rick Rypien dropped the gloves many times during his previous years with Manitoba. But since rejoining the team Mar. 18, Rypien hadn't been able to find a willing participant. That is until puck drop on Friday night in Rochester when Eric Selleck tussled with Rypien. There weren't many punches thrown between the Manitoba and Rochester scrappers, but after they tied up Rypien shoved Selleck around then dragged him to the ice.

The fight did little to spark the Moose and was instead followed by two quick Rochester goals. First Hugh Jessiman entered Manitoba's end on his off wing and picked the inside of the far post for the game's first goal at 2:50. Shortly after, Rochester's P.J. Fenton grabbed a pass by Tim Kennedy on the rush and sent a low backhander for their second goal on three shots against goalie Eddie Lack.

Manitoba pulled Eddie Lack at the 4:58 mark of the first period, putting Tyler Weiman in for clean up duty with the Moose trailing 2-0 early on.

The Moose rebounded on the ice but not on the scoreboard through the rest of the first period. Manitoba outshot the home team 10-6 in the last 15 minutes of the period but couldn't beat Marc Cheverie in Rochester's net. Jason Jaffray was denied in the dying seconds from the top of the crease during Manitoba's first power play.

Rochester killed off the rest of a minor to Tim Kennedy that carried over into the second perio. Then after returning to the ice, Kennedy spotted Amerks leading scorer Mike Kostka as he trailed into the Moose zone on the rush. Kostka stepped into a pass by Kennedy and sent the puck over Tyler Weiman's shoulder for the third Rochester goal at 1:29.

The Amerks continued to bury the visiting Moose. Rochester's Jordan Knackstedt beat Tyler Weiman for a fourth unanswered goal at 2:03. Knackstedt's 12th of the season inspired Manitoba's head coach Claude Noel to spend his timeout in an attempt to reel in his unraveling team.

Manitoba's deficit wasn't the result of a lack of scoring chances. Cody Hodgson was robbed by the glove of Marc Cheverie midway through the second period after the Moose rookie split the Rochester D and tried to pick the top corner.

Frustrated by his team's worsening situation, Manitoba's Guillaume Desbiens picked a fight with Rochester defenceman MIchael Caruso at the very end of the second period. Desbiens, who had fought Eric Selleck in Wednesday's game, was clearly the more experienced fighter as he tossed round Caruso while landing a few punches.

The Moose entered the third period staring at a four goal deficit. They managed to chip away early in the frame after Sergei Shirokov forced a turnover in the Rochester end that centre Marco Rosa wristed past Marc Cheverie for Manitoba's first goal at 4:05. The goal by Rosa extended his current point streak to five games that he began after returning from a 29-game absence.

Manitoba's power play has seen a resurgence in recent games but was no use to them on Friday night. The referee hid his whistle for much of the night only calling one minor pently during the game, and none in the final two periods.

Rochester's Marc Cheverie was key in preventing Manitoba's comeback and the stats show the obvious. Cheverie stopped 36 of 37 shots by the Moose, backing his team to a 4-1 victory over the North Division leading Moose.

The Moose travel to Hamilton in time for an afternoon game against the Bulldogs on Saturday. Seperated by only one point, the Moose and Bulldogs face off at 3 p.m. CST. CJOB's Brian Munz calls the action live from Copps Coliseum. Hear it online at www.cjob.com.

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