No Southern Hospitality

Published on December 13, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Manitoba Moose are far from home where the thermometer currently bobs between -15 and -25 degrees Celsius. But while trekking across the Southern U.S., the Moose haven't been too hot either. Currently on a four-game road trip, Manitoba has yet to find the win column with losses against the Texas Stars, Oklahoma City Barons, and most recently a shootout loss to the San Antonio Rampage. The Moose are back in Cedar Park, TX on Tuesday to wrap it up against the Stars. Rookie left winger Billy Sweatt has points in all three losses, including a three point effort (1g,2a) in San Antonio on Saturday night.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010: Manitoba 2, Texas 5 The road swing began in Cedar Park, TX with the Moose visiting the Texas Stars. Manitoba's Cody Hodgson opened the scoring in the first period, but Texas answered back with a pair shortly after. The Moose were stung by two former players as the Stars Greg Rallo and Raymond Sawada both buried goals on their old team. Texas handed Manitoba the 5-2 loss at Cedar Park Center, where the Moose now have an all-time record of 0-3-0-0.

Friday, December 10, 2010: Manitoba 2, Oklahoma City 4 The Moose and Barons clashed for the third time in eight days. But this time both Manitoba and Oklahoma City were missing key players as Moose leading goal scorer Cody Hodgson went down with an injury while the Edmonton Oilers recalled Barons top scorer Linus Omark prior to Friday's game. The Moose led 2-1 at the end of the first period but could not find the net in the final 40 minutes. A pair of later goals by Barons sniper Alexandre Giroux was the difference in a 4-2 loss to the Barons.

Saturday, December 11, 2010: Manitoba 4, San Antonio 5 (SO) The Rampage had only made the playoffs in two of their last eight seasons, so it might be strange to see them dominating the West Division and sitting second in the AHL. The Moose needed a strong start in San Antonio and did just that racking up 18 shots in the first period and leading 2-0 at the game's halfway point. A third period flurry of goals left the Moose down 4-3, but Shawn Weller scored for Manitoba with under a minute to force OT. The Moose required a shootout for the seventh time this season and Manitoba couldn't solve Matt Climie in the Rampage net.

Moose Notes

THE FINAL ROUND: Manitoba has now taken part in seven shootouts this season with a record of 3-4 in the final showdown. Only the Abbotsford Heat, with eight shootouts, have taken part in more. In total this season, the Moose have scored on seven of 28 shootout attempts. Jordan Schroeder, currently out with an injury, and Marco Rosa lead the team with two shootout goals each this season. Meanwhile Eddie Lack has the highest shootout save percentage on the Moose, stopping 14 of 18 attempts (0.778 SV%).

SWEATT'S STREAK: Bill Sweatt, the younger of the two Sweatt brothers on the Moose, extended his point streak in a big way on Saturday night in San Antonio. With an assist in each of the two games prior, Sweatt recorded three points (1g, 2a) on Saturday including a highlight reel goal in the second period where he used his signature speed to blow by a pair of defencemen on his way to a breakaway goal. Sweatt is now second in team scoring with 17 points (6g, 11a).

POWER STRUGGLE: Over the last three games, the Moose have not allowed a power play goal against but they also haven't scored on the power play for an even longer stretch. Their last power play goal was scored by Evan Oberg on Dec. 1 in Milwaukee. Their penalty kill ranks fifth at 86.4% while the power play ranks last in the AHL at 10.3%.

Upcoming Opponents

The Moose venture back to the Cedar Park Center for a second time this trip to take on the Stars on Tuesday night. Then the squad returns home to host the Houston Aeros at MTS Centre on Friday and Saturday. The night of Friday, Dec. 17 will be Manitoba's Teddy Bear Toss, where fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to the game to toss onto the ice during the second intermission. All tossed teddy bears will be donated to the Christmas Cheer Board.

Player of the Week Nominee

Bill Sweatt

Bill Sweatt recorded five points (1g,4a) during a three-game point streak last week... With his three point effort on Saturday in San Antonio, Sweatt passed Cody Hodgson for second in team scoring with 17 points (6g,11a)... He finished the week tied for 12th in AHL rookie scoring...

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American Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2010


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