Moose Split Icehogs Series

Published on October 29, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


MOOSE SPLIT ICEHOGS SERIES

The Manitoba Moose met new foes and familiar faces at the MTS Centre in Week 3, hosting the expansion Rockford IceHogs for back-to-back games last Thursday and Friday nights. The games marked the return of defenceman Prestin Ryan and goaltender Wade Flaherty to Winnipeg, after both players left the Moose organization at the conclusion of the 06-07 season.

Thursday, October 25, 2007: IceHogs 4 - Moose 2 L

In the first-ever clash between both clubs, the Manitoba Moose fell 4-2 to the Rockford IceHogs Thursday night at the MTS Centre. Moose rookie Pierre-Cedric Labrie scored his third goal and fifth point in three games, while Jozef Balej extended his point streak to six games. IceHogs netminder Corey Crawford stopped 21 of 23 shots for the win. (view game recap / highlights)

Friday, October 26, 2007: IceHogs 2 - Moose 3 W

After dropping Game 1, payback was sweet for the Manitoba Moose. Youth beat experience Friday night as Moose goaltenders past and present battled at opposite ends of the MTS Centre ice. Backed by strong goaltending from Drew MacIntyre, Manitoba defeated Wade Flaherty and the rest of the Rockford IceHogs 3-2. Luc Bourdon, Greg Classen, and Mike Keane scored for Manitoba, while Bryan Bickell and Jake Dowell posted goals for visiting Rockford. (view game recap / highlights)

The Moose hope to kick off their second road-trip of the season by starting a second win-streak Halloween night in Quad City. The team then heads to Milwaukee and Rockford Friday and Saturday nights before returning home for a four-game homestand vs. the Admirals (Nov. 9 & 10) and Griffins (Nov. 15 & 16).

Moose Notes

PK CLICKS: Manitoba stifled all 11 of Rockford's powerplays in last week's two games, improving the club's penalty-killing to 86.2% and 10th in the AHL. Last season, the Moose stifled 89.7% of opponent powerplay opportunities, good for the best PK percentage in the entire league and a new franchise record. Prior to last week's games, the Moose had allowed five powerplay goals in three road games, dropping the club to as low as 17th in the AHL's PK rankings.

ROOKIE RACKS 'EM UP: With a goal and assist in Week 3, Moose rookie Pierre-Cedric Labrie extended his point streak to four games, for a total of six points in seven games played. Labrie now sits one point behind Luc Bourdon for top-spot on the Moose rookie leaderboard and fifth overall on the team. Last season, Manitoba's top rookie was Jannik Hansen, who posted 12 goals and 22 assists in 72 games. The all-time Moose record for rookie scoring was set in 1996-97, by Sean Tallaire, who scored 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points in 74 games.

INTO THE WEST: Two games into a seven-game stretch vs. West Division opponents, Manitoba takes their show on the road this week, visiting Quad City on Oct. 31, Milwaukee Nov. 2, and Rockford Nov. 3. After two games vs. Rockford on Oct. 25 & 26, the Moose are 1-1-0-0 vs. the West Division so far this season. Last season, Manitoba posted a record of 16-8-3-1 (.642) vs. the West, including a 1-1-1-1 record vs. Milwaukee.

PASSING THE TORCH: Week 3 saw scoring contributions from Jozef Balej, Luc Bourdon, Mike Keane, Greg Classen, and Pierre-Cedric Labrie, as well as the end of two significant scoring streaks. In Thursday night's game vs. Rockford, Colby Genoway's four-game goal-scoring streak came to an end, while the following night, Jozef Balej concluded his six-game point streak. The only Moose player to carry a scoring steak into Wednesday night's game at Quad City is rookie Labrie, who has six points in four consecutive games.

Upcoming Opponents

The Moose meet the second of three new AHL teams Wednesday night in Moline, IL. Formerly known as the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, the Quad City Flames host the Moose for the first-time ever on Halloween night. The Moose were 3-1-0-0 vs. Omaha last season, bringing their franchise record to 4-3-0-1 over two seasons against the Calgary Flames affiliate.

Manitoba continues their swing through the West Division Friday night in Milwaukee. The Moose earned a 1-1-1-1 record vs. the Admirals last season, scoring only one goal in two games played at Bradley Center (2-0 L on Oct. 20/06; 2-1 SOL on Mar. 27/07). Manitoba carries a franchise record of 13-11-1-3 in 28 all-time games played vs. Milwaukee.

The Moose and IceHogs meet for the third time in eight days Saturday night in Rockford. In their first ever matchups, the Moose fell 4-2 to the IceHogs on Oct. 25 but rebounded with a 3-2 victory the following night. IceHogs goaltender Wade Flaherty will be looking for his first win against his former club, while Rockford's leading scorer Prestin Ryan will be eager to score his first goal on his former teammates.

Player of the Week Nominee

Rookie Pierre-Cedric Labrie appeared in both games for the Manitoba Moose this week where he scored a goal and an assist for two points and 17 penalty minutes...The Baie-Comeau, PQ native is now on a four-game points streak extending back to Oct. 20/07 @ Toronto...In that time, he has three goals and three assists for six points...Labrie is currently tied for 12th in rookie scoring in the entire AHL and second in rookie scoring on the Moose behind defenceman Luc Bourdon...Labrie is fifth overall on the Moose with those six points.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2007


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