Manitoba Moose

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Highlight REEL Moose 5 Bulldogs 3

By: Paul Wiecek

21/11/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image

Manitoba's Evan Oberg sends David Desharnais of the Bulldogs flying into the boards during first-period action at the MTS Centre.

MANITOBA Moose captain Mike Keane scored twice 70 seconds apart -- both times into an empty net and one of which turned into the game-winner -- as the Moose won a strange 5-3 decision over the Hamilton Bulldogs before 8,415 spectators at the MTS Centre Friday night.

Keane. as usual for the 42-year-old veteran, was unflappable about the hockey rarity.

"It happens," said Keane. "Two empty-net goals -- you can't talk too much about those.

"Usually I don't hit (the net)... I think (the second one) just hit the back of the net now."

FIRST PERIOD

The Bulldogs draw first blood when Brandon's Brock Trotter fires a soft one between the legs of Schneider at 13:46. But the lead is short-lived as Moose defenceman Nolan Baumgartner springs winger Sergei Shirokov with a cross-ice pass and Shirokov does the rest, freezing the Hamilton blue-liner in front of the net and then going backhand on Sanford.

Moose 1 Bulldogs 1

SECOND PERIOD

Newly acquired centre Erik Christensen makes his presence felt immediately, picking up a loose puck at the side of the Hamilton net and lifting it over Sanford at 4:02. Four minutes later, Moose centre Mario Bliznak gets his third of the season on a soft one through Sanford's pads. That earns Sanford the immediate hook in favour of Cedrick Desjardins.

Moose 3 Bulldogs 1

THIRD PERIOD

Keane scores his fifth of the season -- and first since Oct. 16 -- into an empty net at 18:39 to give his team a 4-1 lead. But the Bulldogs make it interesting, getting goals at 18:41 and 19:20 to make it a one-goal game. Keane puts it away for good with his second empty-netter in a minute at 19:39.

Moose 5 Bulldogs 3

ICE CHIPS

Sold out

Tonight's rematch between the Moose and Bulldogs is sold out, the first sellout of the season.

A promotion that will see Hannah Montana star Jason Earles signing autographs tonight and a group sale of about 4,000 school patrols will fill the building to a reduced capacity of 13,582.

The Moose have a regular capacity of 15,003 for hockey, but they've had to cut that for tonight to leave room in the upper bowl for the expected lineups for Earles.

Pettinger on way back?

The Vancouver Canucks have placed former Moose winger Matt Pettinger on waivers and he could be back in a Moose uniform soon if he clears waivers as expected.

Pettinger had two goals and two assists in seven games with the Moose before he was called up earlier this month by Vancouver.

-- Paul Wiecek

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 21, 2009 D6

Rate this
This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.