Schneider Shuts Out Bulldogs 2-0

Published on March 7, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


HAMILTON, ON. -- An explosive second period highlighted by two powerplay goals and 17 shots on net gave the Manitoba Moose a 2-0 lead over the Hamilton Bulldogs Friday night. Though the Bulldogs came on strong in the final frame, rookie goalie Cory Schneider stopped all 24 attempts to record his fifth win in a row and first professional shutout.

Only 61 seconds into the game, Moose forward Jannik Hansen took a slashing penalty, the first of three straight infractions - including a five-minute high-sticking major to Alexandre Bolduc - for Manitoba. But great saves and blocked shots kept Hamilton from scoring a powerplay goal, and as Bolduc's penalty and the period ended simultaneously, the home team went 0-for-3 on the powerplay but led the shot count 9-6.

Just over three minutes into the second period, the Moose saw the other side of the man-advantage as Bulldogs forward Jonathan Ferland was dealt a hooking penalty. Only six seconds after the following face-off in the offensive zone, Colby Genoway pounced on defenceman Shaun Heshka's original shot and surprised Hamilton goaltender Yann Danis to score the first goal of the game.

The Moose went back on the penalty kill less than a minute after the goal, but solid play through the two minutes kept the Bulldogs from gaining any ground. Consecutive Hamilton infractions put Manitoba's other special teams unit in the spotlight, but the visitors were unable to tally a second powerplay marker and stayed up by one through to the final six minutes of the middle frame.

Upon the return of five-on-five play, Hamilton surged into the Manitoba zone and got the puck past Schneider. But referee Ghislain Hebert called Bulldogs winger Eric Manlow for goaltender interference and disallowed the goal, saving Manitoba's one-goal lead and offering them their third straight powerplay.

With Manlow in the penalty box, Manitoba's top line set up in the home zone. Persistence at the top of Danis' crease resulted in Jason Jaffray's 18th goal of the season, Heshka's second assist of the game, and a 2-0 Moose lead.

By the end of the second period, the Moose had fired 23 shots on Danis, including 17 in the second period alone, tying this season's record for most shots in a single period on the road. The Bulldogs, by comparison, tallied three shots in the middle frame, bringing their two-period total to 12.

The clubs matched each other shot-for-shot through the first five minutes of the third period, but both goaltenders stayed solid in their respective nets. With just under 10 minutes left in the game, former Bulldog Danny Groulx was called for hooking and Hamilton strove for their first powerplay goal in five opportunities. But Manitoba continued to stifle Hamilton's offense and kept the home team scoreless.

Though the Bulldogs iced six skaters for the final 40 seconds, the Moose carried their 2-0 lead to the final buzzer. By stopping all 24 shots, Schneider earned his fifth consecutive win and first professional shutout.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2008


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