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Wolf Pack Beat Bruins, 3-2

December 17, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. _ Perseverance paid for Greg Moore Wednesday night.

After being robbed twice early in the third period, Moore scored the Wolf Pack's second shorthanded goal of the game with 4:58 left, giving them a 3-2 victory over the Atlantic Division-leading Providence Bruins before 2,066 at the XL Center.

After taking a pass from Brodie Dupont on a 2-on-1, Moore's shot from the right circle beat Tuukka Rask high to the far corner as the Wolf Pack (14-11-1-3) moved three games above .500 for the first time this season and extended their points streak to five games (4-0-0-1), a season high.

"Brodie gave me a good early pass, and as I looked up, I saw Rask cheating on the right post so there was lot of room on the left," Moore said. "It was nice to get a goal like that. I felt like I had been working hard and getting some chances, so it felt good to have one pay off."

Patrick Rissmiller also scored shorthanded for the Wolf Pack, who had one shorthanded goal in the first 28 games. Rissmiller also assisted on David Urquhart's power-play goal that gave the Wolf Pack a 2-0 lead at 7:19 of the second period.

Though the Wolf Pack blew that advantage on power-play goals by Jeff Penner (5-on-3) and Peter Schaefer, coach Ken Gernander liked his team's finish more than having given up the lead.

"We're happy with the way the guys responded," Gernander said. "That was a big kill when Moorsie scored. That was a pretty critical time of the game to give them another power play."

After an uneventful and scoreless first period, the Wolf Pack got a lucky break to take 1-0 lead at 2:47 of the second. After Dupont forced a turnover while killing a penalty, Rask (18 saves) misplayed the puck at the left of the net. Rissmiller picked up the loose puck, circled the goal and scored into an empty net.

Then with the Wolf Pack on their third power play, Rissmiller skated out of the left circle and passed in front to a wide-open Urquhart, who had an easy finish into an open net at 7:19.

"Special teams were big for us," Moore said. "We gave up two power-play goals tonight, but I think our team is pretty happy with the way our special teams are moving. We've been working really hard on having our special teams tighten up and help us win games."

The Wolf Pack nearly made it 3-0 at 11:25, but Rask made a sprawling save off Jordan Owens. The Bruins (16-11-1-1) then got a 5-on-3 for two minutes but needed only 53 seconds to get to 2-1, as a wide-open Penner took a pass from Martin St. Pierre and scored from 20 feet in the slot at 13:51.

Miika Wiikman (26 saves), who got his only shutout of the season in a 2-0 victory over Providence a week earlier, kept the Wolf Pack in front at 10 seconds of the third period when he robbed Jeremy Reich, set up alone 10 feet in front. Rask then made the two good stops on Moore to keep the Bruins within a goal.

Given those reprieves, the Bruins tied it on a power play as Peter Schaefer converted Johnny Boychuk's rebound at 10:14. But Moore then got the winner, enabling the Wolf Pack to get within two points of Providence after taking nine of 10 points in five games against division opponents.

"We weren't happy being at the bottom of the division because we know the Wolf Pack organization has higher standards," Moore said. "So we're pretty happy with how focused and how hard the work ethic and discipline have been. We're happy with the direction we're headed."

Gernander agreed.

"I think we've made marked strides since the start of the season," he said. "We're coming, but it's a process where hopefully we're building toward something at the end of the season."



American Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2008


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