Moose smoke IceHogs

March 12, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Moose scored five consecutive goals on Friday night to beat the visiting Rockford IceHogs 6-1 in front of 7,751 fans at MTS Centre. Matt Pope scored two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist for his first-ever AHL three-point night. Matt Pettinger and Marco Rosa both notched singles while newcomers Yan Stastny and Peter Olvecky rounded out the scoring. Goaltender Cory Schneider also created some offence when he earned his third assist of the season while stopping 28 of 29 shots in his 28th victory this campaign.

It took the Moose six minutes to register their first shot on Hannu Toivonen while the IceHogs had already fired five on Cory Schneider.

Despite trailing on the shot clock, Manitoba drew first blood at 13:16. With a behind the net pass from Marco Rosa, Moose right-winger Matt Pope squeaked the puck under Toivonen's goal pad and into the net to notch his second goal of the season.

After the goal, Manitoba's powerplay unit made their debut when Jake Dowell was handed a tripping penalty at 13:26. With three seconds remaining on their man-advantage the same duo responsible for Manitoba's first marker, connected again. A sleek pass from Marco Rosa found the end of Matt Pope's stick, which was perfectly positioned in front of Toivonen's net. The right-winger notched his second of the night when he shelved the puck over the 23-year old goaltender for a 2-0 tally.

33 seconds into the middle frame, the Moose received their second powerplay when Bracken Kearns was called-out for tripping. The home team was able to bring their shot count to eight on the advantage, but couldn't capitalize before play returned to even-strength.

The powerplay tables turned in favor of the IceHogs at 2:55, but it was the Moose who benefited. On a shorthanded surge, Matt Pettinger flew in between both defencemen and wristed the shot between Toivonen's five-hole for a 3-0 lead. After the goal, the IceHogs swapped netminders, putting Corey Crawford between the pipes.

At 5:58 the Moose extended their lead when Marco Rosa swept the puck past Crawford's sprawled goal-pad for a four-goal lead. Matt Pope earned his third point of the night with an assist on the goal while Peter Olvecky was credited with the other helper for his first point in antlers.

Yan Stastny got in on the scoring action and notched his first Moose goal when he snapped the puck between Crawford's legs for a 5-0 lead at 13:37.

Rockford broke onto the scoreboard with 53 seconds left in the second period. On the visitors 19th shot of the night, Matt Keith fired the puck into the open cage for a 5-1 tally going into the final frame.

Manitoba killed-off back-to-back penalties in the early half of the third period, forcing the IceHogs to go zero-for-five.

At 14:13 Peter Olvecky scored his first Moose goal when he connected on a wrap around to confirm a 6-1 victory for Manitoba.



American Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2010


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