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Moose Smother Flames, 3-1

December 19, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


In their third game in four nights, the Manitoba Moose extended their winning-streak to four games with a 3-1 victory over the Quad City Flames. Mark Cullen netted the game winner, while goaltender Karl Goehring stopped 32 of 33 attempts for his eleventh win of the season and first star honors. Tomorrow night, the Moose look to sweep their four-game series against the Flames at the MTS Centre.

Quad City's powerplay unit made their debut at 1:21 thanks to a hooking penalty directed towards Moose winger Michel Ouellet. Manitoba's penalty killers, first in the AHL, killed off the two-minutes allowing only three shots on goaltender Karl Goehring.

At 7:38 Raymond Sawada and Peter Vandermeer got in a short scuffle behind Matt Keetley's net resulting in five-minute fighting majors for each guilty party.

The powerplay tables turned in favor of the Moose, when David Van der Gulik was put away for interference. The home team firmly planted themselves in the visiting zone resulting in instant action. With an initial save on Mark Derlago's shot, the puck slid out of Keetley's padlock and Michel Ouellet tipped it in to put the Moose up by one at 8:46.

The aggression between both teams was becoming more evident as the period progressed. A second fight erupted behind Keetley's net, this time courtesy of Alexandre Bolduc and Peter Vandermeer. Both sides were reprimanded with five-minute fighting majors, but an extra two minutes was given to Vandermeer for roughing.

Seconds later, Matt Pelech's delay of game penalty put the Moose on a two-man advantage. Even though the white shirts were able to break the 10 shot mark, they couldn't hit the back of the net and maintained their 1-0 lead heading into the second.

Trading penalties in the early half of the second showcased both sides' special teams, but neither squad was able to net a goal on their respective opportunities.

After even back-and-fourth play for the majority of the period, the Moose extended their lead at 14:16. Poised at the point, Daniel Rahimi slapped the puck which deflected off of Mark Cullen and into the net, to put the Moose up 2-0.

The Flames responded 1:21 later when new defenseman Andrew Martens was serving time for interference. David Van der Gulik tricked Goehring and put his club within a goal of the Moose, 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.

Near the midway point of the third period, the Moose and Flames were even at 26 shots each heading into Manitoba's third goal of the game. With help from Captain Mike Keane and Alexandre Bolduc, Super Mario Blizank netted his fifth of the season to put the Moose on top 3-1.

Guillaume Desbiens' tripping penalty at 17:37 gave the Flames a chance to inch closer in the final minutes of play. With multiple acrobatic saves by Goehring, the Moose were able to maintain their 3-1 lead and beat the Flames for the third time this season.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2008


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