Moose Split Final Two Home Games, Get Ready For Griffins

Published on April 16, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Moose finished off their 2006-07 regular season with two home games versus the Toronto Marlies. Manitoba had dominated the season series versus the Marlies heading into the weekend winning all six games in regulation. The Moose had already clinched the North Division but were in contention to win the Western Conference and gain home-ice advantage through to the Calder Cup Conference Final. The Moose split the two games on the weekend, collecting their second best season with a record of 45-23-7-5 and 102 points. Manitoba set a new franchise record for home wins in a season with 25 and had an overall home record of 25-12-3-2. Manitoba fell just short in their chase for the Conference title as the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights won their final two games to finish first in the Western Conference with 104 points.

Friday, April 13, 2007: Moose 3 Marlies 2 W

Manitoba hosted the Marlies for a two-game set to close out the regular season, having won all previous six matchups this season. Despite falling behind early The Moose battled back to take the lead and would hang on for the 3-2 victory. The win was the 45th of the season for the team, second most in franchise history, and set a new team record for home wins in a season with 25. The Moose handed out their annual player awards before the game, with Jason Jaffray skating away with four trophies, including the team MVP.

Saturday, April 14, 2007: Moose 2 Marlies 4 L

The final game of the regular season on Saturday was Moose Fan Appreciation night at the MTS Centre. The visiting Marlies jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead as they appeared determined not to get swept this season by the Moose. Mike Brown scored his third goal of the season to give the Moose a chance but the Marlies added another goal in the final period to earn their first ever regulation win in 16 tries versus the Moose. Manitoba's record versus Toronto finished at 7-1-0-0 on the season and is now 13-1-1-1 all-time. The Moose finished with a record of 45-23-7-5, their second best season ever.

The Moose open the North Division Semi-Final at home this week versus the Grand Rapids Griffins. The series will start at the MTS Centre on Thursday, April 19th at 7:30pm, with game two going on Saturday, April 21st.

MOOSE NOTES

MacIntyre sets new marks: Drew MacIntyre's 24 wins this season moved him into fifth all-time in franchise history for most wins in a season. MacIntyre sits behind four others including Wade Flaherty who is tops on the list with 26 which he accomplished last season. MacIntyre lowered the record for goals against average in a season with his mark of 2.18, besting Wade Flaherty's 2.33 GAA in the '04-05 season. Drew also set a new Moose franchise mark for a goalie with a minimum of 20 appearances in a season, with his save percentage of .922 breaking the mark set by Wade Flaherty last season at .919. MacIntyre finished as the #3 overall ranked goaltender this season in the AHL.

Moose #1 penalty-killers: Manitoba finished as the top penalty-killing unit in the AHL this season killing penalties at a rate of 89.7%. The Moose only surrendered 42 powerplay goals against this season, smashing the old franchise record of 62 powerplay goals against in a season set in 2003-04 and 2004-05. The Moose just fell short of the AHL's best PK percentage in a season, which is held by the (2003-04) Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 90.66%.

Moose season in review: Set second best franchise season record of 45-25-7-5 for 102 points, Manitoba's best season was in 1998-99 when they finished 47-21-14 for 108 points.... set a new franchise standard for wins at home in a season with 25... set a new record for the longest home-ice winning streak with nine straight victories at the MTS Centre from Feb. 3/07 to March 10/07... finished first overall in AHL penalty killing with a PK% of 89.7%... forward Jason Jaffray finished sixth in the AHL in both scoring with 81 points and goal-scoring with 35 goals - both of which were career highs to lead the Moose... Brad Moran tied his career best with 72 points (25G, 47A)... Lee Goren finished one point shy of his best season with 68 points but did set a new career best with 42 assists (26G, 42A)... Goaltender Drew MacIntyre set new franchise standards in net with a 2.17 GAA and a .922 SV%... Nathan Smith had his best season as a pro, setting career marks in goals (19), assists (21), and points (40)...Maxime Fortunus set new career highs in assists (18) and points (20)... Dustin Wood set new AHL career highs with goals (4), assists (12), and points (16)... Mike Brown set a career high in penalty minutes (194), leading the team and finishing 14th overall in the league... Prestin Ryan set a new career high in assists with 16... Mike Keane set new Moose career highs in games played (74), goals (8), assists (17), and points (25)... Yannick Tremblay set new career highs in goals (12) and points (33) despite only playing in 45 games for the Moose...

UPCOMING OPPONENT

The Griffins held off the Peoria Rivermen for the final playoff spot in the North Division, needing a Peoria loss to Milwaukee on the final day to secure the spot. Grand Rapids qualified for the postseason with the second lowest point total, 85, only the Albany River Rats had less with 81 points. The Moose finished with a record of 6-1-0-1 versus Grand Rapids this season although every game except one was decided by one goal, three by way of shootout. Last season the Moose were knocked out of the playoffs in a highly contested seven-game series by the Griffins in their only previous post-season matchup. The Griffins battled back from a 4-1 deficit in Game 7 of the North Division Final to pull out a 5-4 victory in regulation. Darryl Bootland scored the game-winner with 2:06 left to play. Manitoba Moose goaltender Drew MacIntyre was in net for the Griffins in that game.

Playoff Schedule versus the Grand Rapids Griffins

Game One - Thu., April 19th @ the MTS Centre in Winnipeg

Game Two - Sat., April 21st @ the MTS Centre in Winnipeg

Game Three - Mon., April 23rd @ the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids

Game Four - Wed., April 25th @ the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids

* Game Five - Fri., April 27th @ the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids

* Game Six - Sun., April 29th @ the MTS Centre in Winnipeg

* Game Seven - Tue., May 1st @ the MTS Centre in Winnipeg

* if necessary

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

#20 Brad Moran - Centre

Forward Brad Moran appeared in both games for the Moose in the final week of the regular season as the team went split both games with the Toronto Marlies...Friday night, Moran scored the game-tying goal and set-up the winner. He was then held off the scoresheet on Saturday...He also ended the week with seven shots and was -1 overall...As a result, he finished the season tied for 15th overall in the league in scoring and second on the Moose with 25 goals and 47 assists for 72 points (a career-high)...He finished tied for ninth in the league in assists.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2007


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