Moose Win Three In Week 20

Published on February 25, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Manitoba Moose earned six of eight possible points on the road this past week by earning wins in Chicago and Peoria, as well as splitting a two-game set in Grand Rapids. A full team effort made for a successful road trip, but it was an individual effort by goaltender Drew MacIntyre that made hockey headlines around the world.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008: Manitoba 2 - Chicago 1 OTW

Tied 1-1 after regulation time, the Moose and Wolves headed to overtime Wednesday night. With a penalty pending for Manitoba, Chicago opted for an extra attacker and pulled goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. But an errant pass made its way from a Wolves stick into the empty net, securing a 2-1 OT win for the Moose. As the last Moose player to touch the puck, goaltender Drew MacIntyre was credited with the game-winning goal as well as the win. MacIntyre became the ninth goalie in AHL history to be credited with a goal and only the second to earn a game-winner.

Friday, February 22, 2008: Manitoba 4 - Grand Rapids 1 W

MacIntyre followed up Wednesday's history-making OT goal with a 41-save, first-star performance Friday night, securing a 4-1 Moose victory over the Griffins in Grand Rapids. The win extended Manitoba's winning streak to three games.

Saturday, February 23, 2008: Manitoba 0 - Grand Rapids 1 L

For the second game in a row, Griffins forward Francis Lemieux scored his club's lone goal vs. the Moose Saturday night. But unlike in Friday's game, it would be enough for the win. By stopping all 18 Moose attempts, Griffins goaltender Adam Berkhoel earned a 1-0 shutout.

Sunday, February 24, 2008: Manitoba 4 - Peoria 2 W

With two late goals in the third period, the Rivermen nearly extinguished Manitoba's 3-0 lead, but the Moose quelled the comeback and scored an empty netter to secure a 4-2 victory Sunday afternoon. The win helped the Moose finish with six of eight possible points on the four-game road trip.

This week, the Moose return to the MTS Centre for a four-game homestand, hosting the Hershey Bears Wednesday and Thursday nights and then the Quad City Flames Saturday and Sunday. Wednesday night is Soiree Francophone Chez les Moose. Experience franco-manitobain joie de vivre with french-themed food and entertainment! Saturday night is Military Tribute Night, and the Moose will wear replica 1948 Royal Canadian Air Force Jerseys to honour the Canadian Forces. Fans will also receive a free Moose Military Team poster after the game.

MOOSE NOTES

MacINTYRE MAKES HISTORY: As the last Moose player to touch the puck before it sailed into an empty Wolves net Feb. 20, goaltender Drew MacIntyre was credited with the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime win for his hockey club. In the AHL's 72-year history, MacIntyre became the ninth goalie to be credited with a goal and only the second to earn a game-winning goal. The Philadelphia Phantoms Antero Niittymaki was the first to earn a GWG Apr. 11/04 at Hershey. Only one other Moose goaltender has ever recorded a goal: Fred Brathwaite at Long Beach (IHL) on Nov. 9/96. Brathwaite also holds the Moose single season and career records for most assists (five in 96-97; nine total) and points (six in 96-97; 10 total). MacIntyre registered his first AHL assist Jan. 4/08 vs. Rochester (5-1W).

NECK-AND-NECK IN THE NORTH: With just over 20 games remaining in the regular season schedule, things continue to be tight and tense in the North Division standings. Because of the crossover (in which the fifth-place team in the West and fourth-place team in the North compete for the final spot in the North Division playoffs), only the top three Northern teams are guaranteed a spot in the post-season. By earning six points this past week, Manitoba maintained sole possession of second place but sit only one point up on Hamilton. Fourth-place Syracuse is six points behind the Moose. All three clubs play four times this week, culminating with a Bulldogs-Crunch battle on Sunday. At the top of the heap, the Toronto Marlies lead the Moose by 13 points.

DANCING OUTSIDE THE DIVISION: Manitoba will look to gain some ground in the North Division by earning points vs. the East and West this week. Starting with and including the 2004-05 season, the Moose are 13-11-2-2 vs. the East and 59-38-5-7 vs. the West heading into this week's games. After losing six straight to the West in mid-January, Manitoba has won six of their past eight vs. the West, improving this season's record to 12-13-0-1. The last time the Moose played the East was Jan. 24/07 (4-2L at Wilkes-Barre).

THOUGHTS ON SHOTS: The Moose registered 38 fewer total shots than their opponents in four games this past week, meaning the club has been outshot in 13 of their past 14 games. The last time Manitoba outshot their opponent was Feb. 17 vs. Toronto (25-24, 5-2W). Prior to that game, the club hadn't led the shot-count since Jan. 25 vs. Syracuse (29-28, 3-1W). Through the month of February, the Moose have been outshot by 76 shots (354 to 278) but managed to earn an 8-5-0-1 (.607) record. Playing a large role in the club's recent success, goaltenders Drew MacIntyre and Cory Schneider have posted impressive numbers this month. In nine February games, MacIntyre has earned a 1.65 GAA and .942 SV%, while in five games, rookie Schneider has gone 3-1-1 with a 1.99 GAA and .933 SV%.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Wednesday, Feb. 27 & Thursday, Feb. 28: The Moose and Hershey Bears (31-19-1-5, 2nd East) meet Wednesday and Thursday nights for their first game since Dec. 2/06 (5-2L at Hershey). Last season's four games were the first ever between the Moose and Bears. Manitoba's record is 1-3-0-0 against Hershey, with the club's only victory coming in overtime on Nov. 29/06 at Hershey (5-4 OTW). Joe Motzko is the Bears top scorer with 21 goals and 48 points in 48 games, while Daren Machesney is the club's best backstopper with a 17-5-2 record, 2.35 GAA, and .923 SV%.

Saturday, Mar. 1 & Sunday, Mar. 2: Saturday night's and Sunday afternoon's games mark Quad City's (28-22-2-7, 6th West) first-ever visit to Manitoba and close the four-game season series between these Western Conference opponents. Earlier this season, Manitoba won two games at Quad City with a 3-2 score: the first on Oct. 31 in a shootout, and the second on Dec. 1 in regulation time. Grant Stevenson is the Flames' leading scorer with 25 goals and 60 points in 59 games, while Curtis McElhinney is the club's top netminder with a 12-9-2 record, 2.20 GAA, and .917 SV%.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

#1 Drew MacIntyre - Goaltender

Drew MacIntyre has been nominated for the third time this season as the Moose player of the week... MacIntyre made AHL history this week as he not only stopped 29 of 30 shots was also credited with the game-winning goal in overtime Feb. 20 at Chicago... MacIntyre became only the ninth goalie in AHL history to be credited with a goal and the second to score a game-winning goal. He also became just the second netminder in Moose history to score a goal... However, he followed up Wednesday's historic performance with a 41-save effort in a 4-1 victory in Grand Rapids, making several spectacular stops while the Moose hung on to a one-goal lead... On Saturday, he allowed only one goal on 29 shots, but got no help from his teammates as the Moose fell to the Griffins 1-0... Overall, MacIntyre finished the week with 97 stops on 100 shots for a save percentage of .970 and a goals against average of 1.01... MacIntyre is now fourth overall in the AHL amongst goalies with a 2.14 GAA and a save percentage of .927...He is tied for fifth in the league with a 21-15-1 record.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2008


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