Wins Remain Elusive In Week 15

January 21, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Two losses to one of the hottest teams in the AHL, the Peoria Rivermen, extended Manitoba's losing streak to six games in Week 15.

Thursday, January 17, 2008: Peoria 4 - Manitoba 2 L

Buoyed by Hannu Toivonen's 24 saves and offensive contributions from four different skaters, the surging Rivermen defeated the slumping Moose 4-2 Thursday night. Although Jason Jaffray and defenceman Maxime Fortunus tallied a goal and assist each in the game, the Moose were unable to break their losing skid and registered their fifth consecutive loss.

Friday, January 18, 2008: Peoria 2 - Manitoba 1 L

Friday night, the Rivermen swept their two-game series with the Moose and extended Manitoba's losing streak to six games with a 2-1 win at the MTS Centre. Greg Classen scored Manitoba's lone goal of the contest, and rookie goaltender Cory Schneider made 21 saves in his ninth loss of the season.

This week, the Moose host the Syracuse Crunch Thursday and Friday nights at the MTS Centre. The Crunch are two points behind the Moose in the North Division standings and won both contests between both clubs so far this season.

MOOSE NOTES

SKID STRETCHES TO SIX: Two consecutive losses to Peoria last week extended Manitoba's losing streak to six games, the club's longest since joining the AHL in 2001-02 and second-longest in franchise history. The last time the Moose lost six straight games in regulation time was during the team's record-setting eight straight losses Jan. 25 - Feb. 11/01 in the club's final IHL season. Last season, Manitoba's longest streak was four games from Dec. 2-6/06.

TIGHT RACE FOR SECOND PLACE: For the first time since mid-October, the Moose could potentially drop as low as fourth place in the North Division this week. A win by Syracuse over Lake Erie Tuesday night would put the Crunch and Moose in a tie for second place with 45 points and only two points ahead of Grand Rapids. If Manitoba loses to Syracuse Thursday and Friday nights, and Grand Rapids earns three or more points Friday and Saturday nights, the Moose will fall to fourth place. On the other hand, back-to-back wins for Manitoba would secure second place for the club but still 13 to 15 points behind Toronto, who play only one game this week (Friday at Binghamton).

EYES TURN NORTHWARD: With last week's two losses to Peoria, Manitoba's record vs. West Division teams fell to 6-11-0-1 this season. The last time the Moose won vs. the West was at Iowa on Dec. 4/07 (4-3W). This week, the Moose battle the North Division's Syracuse Crunch and will look to improve their 15-7-2-0 record vs. divisional opponents. Prior to the club's current six-game losing streak vs. the West, the Moose had won four straight games vs. the North, including their most recent contest Jan. 5/08 vs. Rochester (3-2). Manitoba plays outside their conference for the first time Feb. 27 & 28/08 vs. the East Division's Hershey Bears.

UPCOMING OPPONENT

The Moose host the Crunch for the first and only time this season Thursday and Friday nights at the MTS Centre. Two losses in Syracuse on Nov. 23 (6-4) and Dec. 29 (3-2) put the Moose at 0-2-0-0 (10-9-2-1 all-time vs. the Crunch) heading into this week's games. Manitoba went 5-1-2-0 vs. Syracuse last season, including going 3-0-1-0 at the MTS Centre. Joakim Lindstrom leads the Crunch (9th in the AHL) with 17 goals and 43 points in 32 games, while Adam Munro leads Syracuse netminders with a 7-8-1 record, 2.60 GAA, and .909 SV%.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

#20 Brad Moran - Center

For the fourth time this season and second week in a row, Brad Moran has been nominated for the Moose Player of the Week... Moran appeared in all three games for the Moose this week and recorded three assists along with 11 shots and was even in all three games in the plus/minus category.



American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2008


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