Moose Tame Bears in Overtime 4-3

Published on January 8, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Manitoba Moose (21-12-0-4) were looking for redemption after being stunned by the Hershey Bears (22-13-1-1) last night in a 4-3 loss. In front of the 8,188 in attendance at MTS Centre, the Moose battled hard taking the lead early on. The Bears fought back but succumbed to penalties and the Moose powerplay took advantage three times. The 4-3 overtime win for the Moose put them a point behind first place Hamilton Bulldogs in the North Division.

The first period began with a Moose power play, but it was the Bears who had an early breakaway which was denied by the glove of Moose net minder Tyler Weiman.

With 5:46 gone in the first the Bears defenceman Brian Fahey took a vicious penalty for boarding giving the Moose a power play which they were again unable to capitalize on.

At 11:22, Bears forward Dmitri Kugryshev entered the moose zone uncontested and beat Weiman glove side giving the Bears a one goal lead.

After another Bears penalty the Moose power play was able to convert at 10:35 as Shawn Weller tipped a thunderous slap shot from team captain Nolan Baumgartner tying the game at 1-1. With the assist, his 134th career helper with the Moose, Baumgartner tied Bill Bowler for fourth all-time on Manitoba's franchise leaders in assists.

Moose forward Sergei Shirokov took a penalty for interference with 3:12 left in the period. Moose penalty kill nearly scored shorthanded as they broke out on a two on one, only to be thwarted by sprawling Bears goaltender Braden Holtby.

The second period began as Holtby was peppered with shots by the hungry Moose offence. At 15:02 Holtby took a retaliatory penalty on Garth Murray, the Bears then took another penalty for delay of game giving the Moose a five on three advantage.

The Moose power play was able to capitalize on the two man advantage as Mark Flood and Marco Rosa circulated the puck and set up Sergei Shirokov for his fifteenth goal of the season extending his point streak to ten games.

Then at 10:12 Mario Bliznak snuck past his fifth goal of the season unassisted after a successful fore check in the Bears zone extending the Moose lead to two goals.

With 2:30 left in the second period the Bears broke out on a two on one, the Bears forward shot rang off of two posts and the rebound was put in the net only to be waved off as no goal because the net was knocked off during the play. With 1:22 remaining in the period Bears defenceman Lawrence Nycholat spun around shooting through traffic beating the screened Weiman five hole and closing the deficit to a single goal.

The first half of the third period saw the two teams exchange offensive opportunities, however the goaltenders prevailed keeping the period scoreless.

The Moose outshot the Bears in the third but it was the Bears who struck first at 5:22 as Steve Pinizzotto picked up a rebound in front of the moose net and scored his seventh goal of the season and tied the game at 3-3 sending the game into overtime.

The Bears Sean Collins took a tripping penalty on Manitoba's Guillaume Desbiens in the dying seconds of overtime which proved costly. Marco Rosa picked up his own rebound after a point shot by Nolan Baumgartner giving the Moose the overtime winner and the 4-3 victory.

Moose goalie Tyler Weiman stopped 21 of 24 shots and Manitoba capitalized on the power play three times to give them the edge over the Bears in Saturday's rematch.

The Moose resume their current homestand on Thursday when they welcome the Milwaukee Admirals on Jan. 13 & 15. Game time for both games is 7:30 p.m. CST. Brian Munz and Jim Toth bring you the action on CJOB 68. Hear it online at www.cjob.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2011


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