Moose Stave off Elimination, Narrow Series Deficit

Published on May 6, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Last week, the Moose continued the best-of-seven conference semifinal series against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Last Tuesday, Manitoba lost 5-2 in Hamilton and then came home for three games. In game three, the Moose lost 2-1 in double overtime during the longest match in franchise history. They lost again 6-2 in game four before rebounding for a 3-1 win in game five on Monday. The series shifts back to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton for game six on Thursday and, if necessary, game seven on Sunday. Both games would be televised on Rogers Sportsnet with game time at 6 p.m. CT on Thur. and noon on Sun.

Last week: Tuesday, Apr. 29 - Manitoba 2 vs. Hamilton 5: The Bulldogs scored the first goal at the 41 second mark from Jani Rita. In the second, the home side notched three more goals. After two, Hamilton 4-0. In the final frame, the hosts scored again before Manitoba registered two late goals. Jimmy Roy fired his third of the playoffs and sixth of his Moose playoff career. Jason Goulet had an assist on the goal and now every Moose skater had at least one point during the 2003 AHL Playoffs. Rookie Jason King potted his third of the playoffs on the power play. Moose goalie Mike Minard made 27 saves in the losing cause.

Friday, May 2 - Hamilton 2 vs. Manitoba 1 (2OT): The Moose played in their longest match in franchise history and lost 2-1 late on Friday night. The hosts scored the opening goal when Justin Morrison potted his first of the playoffs. This was Morrison's second playoff goal in his pro career. Jason Goulet and Jimmy Roy assisted on the play. After one, Manitoba 1-0. In the second, the visitors responded with a tally from Benoit Gratton. Heading into the third, the score was tied at one. There was no scoring in the third and for the second time this playoff season, the Moose went into overtime. There was no scoring in the first overtime as Hamilton outshot Manitoba 12-5. In the second overtime, the Moose had a five minute power play but did not score. The Bulldogs scored at the 17:26 mark on a controversial goal from Jani Rita. The longest Moose game came to an end with a 2-1 decision for Hamilton. Tyler Moss was second star with a franchise playoff-high of 49 saves.

Sunday, May 4 - Hamilton 6 vs. Manitoba 2: The Moose opened the scoring when Jimmy Roy notched his fourth of the playoffs. Fedor Fedorov and Justin Morrison assisted on the play. This was Fedorov's first point in his first pro playoff game. After one, Manitoba 1-0. In the second, the Bulldogs scored three unanswered markers. After two, Hamilton 3-1. In the final frame, Bill Lindsay scored twice for his hat trick and Chad Hinz added a marker. Zenith Komarniski ended the game with his second of the playoffs from Brian Chapman and Jaroslav Obsut. This was Chapman's tenth playoff point as a Moose. Tyler Moss made 20 saves in the loss.

Monday, May 5 - Hamilton 1 vs. Manitoba 3: Manitoba opened the scoring for the fourth time in the five games. Pat Kavanagh scored with linemates Ryan Ready and Herbert Vasiljevs assisting. After one, the home side led 1-0. Justin Morrison scored his second of the playoffs and extended his point streak to three games. Linemates Fedor Fedorov and Jimmy Roy added the helpers. Roy now has a four-game point streak and his 13th playoff point as a Moose for a tie for fourth all-time. After two, Manitoba 2-0. The visitors broke Tyler Moss shutout bid but less than two minutes later, the hosts regained the two-goal advantage. Pat Kavanagh added his second of the game and sixth of the playoffs. The Moose staved off elimination for the second time during the 2003 AHL Playoffs and now hold a 4-1 record during their two-year AHL history. Moss was first star with 27 saves, Kavanagh was second star and Rene Vydareny earned third star for a +2 night.

Series 'K' Hamilton vs. Manitoba

Game Winning Goal

Sunday, April 27 Manitoba 2 at Hamilton 1 3,206 Zenith Komarniski

Tuesday, April 29 Manitoba 2 at Hamilton 5 3,126 Michael Ryder

Friday, May 2 Hamilton 2 at Manitoba 1 (2 OT) 6,934 Jani Rita

Sunday, May 4 Hamilton 6 at Manitoba 2 5,288 Bill Lindsay

Monday, May 5 Hamilton 1 at Manitoba 3 4,108 Justin Morrison

Thursday, May 8 Manitoba at Hamilton

Sunday, May 11 Manitoba at Hamilton (if necessary)

(Hamilton leads series 3 games to 2) 22,662

10- GR GAME

Series 'K' GP W L GF GA PIM MIN MAJ MISC MISC MISC MATCH

Hamilton 5 3 2 15 10 112 46 4 0 0 0 0

Manitoba 5 2 3 10 15 96 43 2 0 0 0 0

Up Next: Manitoba (2-3) vs. Hamilton (3-2)- GAME SIX: Thur., May 8 - 6:00 p.m. CT, GAME SEVEN (if necessary): Sun., May 11 - 12:00 p.m. CT

T.V.: Rogers Sportsnet Radio: CJOB - 5:35 p.m. on Thur. and 11:35 a.m. on Sun.

Bulldogs Watch: The Bulldogs lead 3-2 in the conference semifinal series. In the 2003 AHL Playoffs, Michael Ryder (5g, 3a) leads team scoring with eight points and is tied for 11th in the league. Tomas Plekanec (2g, 2a) is tied for ninth in rookie scoring with four points and best rookie shooting percentage at 25.0% (2g/8s). Rookie Mike Komisarek has 36 PIM which leads the team and second highest for a league rookie. Komisarek also leads the team, all AHL rookies and tied for the highest in the league with a +7 rating. Ron Hainsey leads Bulldogs' defencemen with five points (all assists) and is tied for fifth in the league among D-men. Goaltender Ty Conklin and Eric Fichaud have three wins apiece and Fichaud leads the league with a 1.22 Avg. and the second best Save Pct at .950. The Bulldogs penalty kill is seventh best at 86.0% (7g/50a). They have scored two shorthanded markers. Hamilton has the best shots for per game at 35.78 (9gp/322s).

Moose Notes:

- Manitoba is looking to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. The last time the Moose were in this position, they rallied for three consecutive wins against the Houston Aeros in the 2001 Playoffs. The team is now 2-0 when facing elimination this playoff season and 4-1 over their two-year AHL history.

- Pat Kavanagh scored twice in game five. He now has six goals, three assists for nine points to lead the Moose in playoff scoring and tied for fifth highest in the AHL. His six goals in one playoff season ties for the most by a Moose player (Bill Bowler and Rusty Fitzgerald) and he now has seven in his Moose career which is also tied for the best all-time. Kavanagh has become the first Moose to score two goals in a single game in three separate matches.

- Jimmy Roy leads the team with four points (2g, 2a) in the series against the Bulldogs. He now has moved into a tie for fourth place in all-time Moose scoring with 13 points (7g, 6a). Roy holds the franchise playoff record with 103 penalty minutes and second with 40 playoff games played. He is currently on a four-game point streak (Apr. 29-).

- Goaltender Tyler Moss returned to action on Friday. He earned first star in game five for his 27 save performance. Moss improved his playoff record to 5-3 with a 2.05 Avg. (tenth in the AHL) and a Save Pct. of .925. His 210 saves is second best in the league. He established a new franchise record for most saves in a playoff contest with 49 on Friday. The veteran netminder also registered the longest scoreless streak this playoff season and third highest in franchise history at 91:36 (Apr. 16-May 2). Moss now has 15 playoff wins in his AHL career and 25 playoff victories in his pro career.

- Justin Morrison has a three-game point streak and potted two goals (one was a game-winner) and an assist during the span. He now has five points (2g, 3a) in 12 playoff games.

- Captain Brian Chapman added an assist on Sunday and now has 10 points (1g, 9a) during his six-year Moose career. He now moves into a tie for fourth spot for all-time Moose playoff assists with nine (tied with Bill Bowler). Chapman has played in all 42 Manitoba Moose playoff games.

- Fedor Fedorov dressed for the first time this playoff season and played in his first professional game on Sunday. He assisted on Jimmy Roy's goal in the first period for his first pro playoff point in his two-year career. Fedorov added an assist in game five for a modest two-game point streak heading into game six.

- The team has a 7-5 playoff record and now holds the franchise record for most wins during a playoff season, breaking the mark of six set in the 2001 Playoffs.

- In the 2-1 loss to Hamilton on Friday, the Moose played in the longest game in franchise history. Jani Rita scored at the 17:26 mark of the second overtime. The 97:26 game bettered the existing record of 96:44 set back on Apr. 29/01 against Houston when the Moose won 4-3. This was the second time Manitoba has gone into double overtime during the 2003 AHL Playoffs. The Moose are 1-1 this season and 5-2 overall in franchise history during double overtime matches. The team has taken 70% (7/10) of their playoff overtime games into double overtime.

- All 19 Moose skaters have now registered at least one point during this year's playoffs. Manitoba had employed the same 18 skaters in the lineup for the first 10 playoff games.

- Mike Minard played in five consecutive games and started in four straight matches. He has a 2-2 record with the sixth lowest Avg. in the playoffs at 1.91 Avg. and a .930 Save Pct. (sixth best in the AHL).

- Ryan Ready leads the league with 46 shots. He has 19 shots during the Conf. SF series and one assist on Monday.

- Justin Kurtz is fourth among AHL defencemen with six points (2g, 4a). He has the second most shots for a D-man at 27 while Bryan Helmer leads all AHL defencemen with 36 shots.

- Jason King is fifth in AHL rookie scoring with five points (3g, 2a). He has the second most rookie shots at 24 and fifth highest shooting percentage at 12.5% (3g/24s).

- The Moose are 5-2 on the road during the 2003 AHL Playoffs. They had a league-leading four game road winning streak (April 13-27). In the five road victories, the team outscored their opponents by a 15-5 margin.

- The Moose have the fourth highest shots for per game at 32.92 (12gp/395s).

- In 12 playoff games, the Moose have limited the opposition to one or less goals in six matches. Manitoba is seventh in the league with a goals against per game at 2.25 (12gp/27g).

- Roy leads the team with a +6 rating and is tied for second in the AHL.

- Zenith Komarniski leads the team with 28 PIM.

- The team's power play is ranked 16th in the playoffs with 10.0% (7g/70a).

- The team penalty kill is at a 92.6% (2g/27a) during the conference semifinal. The Moose are ranked fifth in the league with a 87.5% (8g/64a).

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American Hockey League Stories from May 6, 2003


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