Moose sweep road trip

January 16, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Josh Green scored a pair of goals and Peter Sarno netted three points as the Manitoba Moose defeated the Houston Aeros 3-1 Sunday. The Moose set a new franchise record with their 14th consecutive road game without a regulation loss (12-0-1-1) and head back home having swept their Texas road trip.

Alex Auld was in net for the Moose, receiving his fifth consecutive start. Mike Smith in goal for the Aeros, with his 15th straight appearance.

It didn't take Manitoba long to get the lead. Peter Sarno skated into the Houston zone, chasing a dump-in by Wade Brookbank. Sarno picked up the puck and wrapped it in past Smith for the 1-0 lead.

Jeff Heerema almost made it 2-0. He had the puck right in front of Smith and tried to shoot low, but the Houston netminder kept it out.

Auld was sharp when he needed to be throughout the period, particularly during a pair of Moose penalty kills.

After the first, the shot count was 11-7 in favour of the Aeros although the Moose were clinging to their lead.

Right at the start of the second, Nolan Baumgartner injured his foot while blocking a shot by Stephane Veillieux. The Moose captain limped off the ice.

Wade Brookbank set up his second goal of the evening early in the middle frame. He blasted a shot from the point that was stopped by Mike Smith. Josh Green then scooped up the rebound and backhanded it by Smith. Peter Sarno drew the other assist on the play.

Houston had a good chance to cut the Moose lead in half midway through the second while on a two-man advantage but Moose penalty killers held up and were able to prevent Houston from getting any quality scoring chances.

Josh Green scored his second of the game to put Manitoba ahead 3-0, chasing Smith from the nets. Replacing him in goal was Kyle Kettles, a native of Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba.

After two periods, shots were 20-17 for the Aeros with the Moose holding a three-goal advantage.

Mikko Koivu's shot from 90 feet out just missed Auld's glove and found the back of the net to give the Aeros some life. With 13 minutes to play, Houston was down 3-1.

Houston took the momentum from the early third-period goal and ran with it, dominating the third period. The Aeros pinned the Moose in their zone, blitzing Auld with shot after shot. However, the Moose were able to hold on for the victory.

NOTES: With 57 points at the season's midway mark, the Moose have just completed the best half-season in franchise history. The previous best was 56 points, set in the second half of 1998-99... Houston goaltender Mike Smith appeared in his 15th straight game, tying the franchise record set by Frederic Chabot in 1999-00... Tonight was Manitoba native Kirby Law's 499th career professional match... The Moose are already only ten wins away from tying Grand Rapids' AHL record of 26 road wins, set in 2002-03... The win was the first time the Moose swept a road trip of four or more games since February 24-28, 1999 (Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Orlando, Orlando)... The Moose swept the Aeros, but Houston outshoot Manitoba 79-43 over the weekend... The win was Manitoba's eighth in January, yet another franchise record set...



American Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central