Moose Stun Aeros, 5-3

Published on December 2, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Moose scored four goals in the third period for a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the hometown Houston Aeros last night at the Toyota Center. Jason Krog scored one while rookies Mario Bliznak and Mark Derlago netted two each to earn the club's third victory over the Texas team this season. Karl Goehring recorded his sixth win by blocking 25 shots.

With 3:14 into the game, Houston's Justin Falk, took a cross checking penalty and offered the visiting Moose the game's first powerplay. As the man-advantage neared completion, the Moose were able to register their first shot on net, but were unable to break goaltender Nolan Schaefer.

A five-minute boarding major and game misconduct to Houston's John Lammers put Manitoba's powerplay unit to work in the latter half of the first. The Moose were unable to hit the back of the net and the hometown penalty killers were unscathed at the end of the man-advantage.

For the first time in their last four contests, the Moose were unable to register a point in the inaugural period and the two clubs' sat neck-and-neck in shots after 20 minutes of play.

With 46 seconds into the second frame, the hockey game turned into four-on-four with Zack FitzGerald and Krys Kolanos penalized for roughing. Eleven seconds later, the Moose gained an extra man when Tomas Mojzis was called for hooking.

On the five-on-four Nolan Baumgartner powered the puck through the Aeros zone, and Jason Krog buried it behind Schaefer to score the first goal of the night on the powerplay.

At 3:22 Guillaume Desbiens and Aeros winger Matt Kassian dropped their gloves in the Moose zone, resulting in several solid blows each accompanied by five-minute majors for fighting.

The Moose's lead was short-lived as Krys Kolanos broke into the Moose zone and cleaned up against Karl Goehring to knot the game at one. Eager to earn the next goal, Houston forced the play back in the visiting zone less than two minutes later, and Maxim Noreau found a crack in Goehring's armor to put his team on top of the Moose, 2-1.

Former Moose Jesse Schultz extended the Aeros lead even further on a breakaway. With the puck in mid-air, Schultz smacked the bullet over Goehring for a 3-1 lead.

The third period saw early scoring action from the Moose as Mario Bliznak tightened the gap with his second goal in two games.

Manitoba planted themselves in the Aeros territory for the rest of the game, hungry to earn the equalizer. Blessed with a powerplay, Mark Derlago snapped the puck into the opposing net to tie the game at three. A minute later, Derlago did it again, chipping in his own rebound to regain the lead, 4-3.

Exchanging penalties late in the third period gave both teams last minute chances to make their mark. Mario Bliznak confirmed the Moose's victory at 18:43 with his second goal of the night, 5-3

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American Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2008


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