Moose Trailing 2-1 In Opening Series Against Marlies

Published on April 20, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The first-seeded Moose began the North Division Semi-final against the fourth-ranked Toronto Marlies this week. Despite topping the AHL with a 50-23-1-6 record this season, the Moose had struggled against the Marlies this year, winning only two of eight games, and dropping six in a row against Toronto heading into the playoffs. The Marlies continued to give Manitoba fits as they struck out to a 2-1 series lead this week.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009: Manitoba 2, Toronto 3 (OT)

Tensions were high in Game 1 of the North Division Semi-final between the Manitoba Moose and Toronto Marlies, especially when the hard-fought battle headed to overtime. But only five minutes into the extra period, Marlies sniper Bates Battaglia fired the game-winner past Cory Schneider to give Toronto a 3-2 victory and a 1-0 series lead.

Friday, April 17, 2009: Manitoba 4, Toronto 2

After seven straight games of being shut down by Toronto's goaltender, the Moose finally solved Justin Pogge, beating him three times and adding an empty-netter. Jason Jaffray scored twice, including the first of the two quickest goals in Moose playoff history. Michael Grabner scored just 15 seconds after Jaffray's first goal to set the record, while Maxime Fortunus blasted the winner at 4:21 of the second period. Cory Schneider made 27 saves to record Manitoba's first win of the postseason and tie the series 1-1.

Sunday, April 19, 2009: Manitoba 1, Toronto 2

The Manitoba Moose dropped a 2-1 decision to the Toronto Marlies at the Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday afternoon, allowing Toronto to take a 2-1 series lead. Alexandre Bolduc scored the lone goal for Manitoba, while Cory Schneider stopped 26 of Toronto's attempts. Game 4 will be played on Tuesday night, also at Ricoh Coliseum.

Moose Notes

SPECIAL TEAM REPORT: For the first time in the series, Manitoba failed to record a power play goal in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Marlies, going 0-6 with the extra man. The Moose are now 3-17 on the power play in the series, with Jason Jaffray, Maxime Fortunus and Guillaume Desbiens all recording power play markers in the series. Manitoba also allowed its first power play goal of the series, a first-period tally to Ryan Hamilton at 6:17 while Desbiens was in the box for interference. The Marlies power play went 1-4 on Sunday, and is now 1-9 in the series.

BOLDUC BUSTS SLUMP: Alexandre Bolduc's goal at 16:48 of the second period on Sunday afternoon was his first goal in 20 games. He last scored against the Peoria Rivermen on February 27, 2009, recording two goals in the game. The 20 game drought was easily his longest of the season, breaking the eight-game dry spell from his first eight games of the season, from October 25, 2008 vs. Houston to November 10 at Rochester. Bolduc recorded his first goal of the season on November 14 at home to Toronto. The goal was also his second career AHL playoff goal; his first was recorded in 2007.

Upcoming Opponents

The Manitoba Moose take on the Marlies in Game 4 on Tuesday night and Game 5 on Thursday night at Ricoh Coliseum.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2009


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