Game Notes: 4/22/08 v. Manitoba Moose
Crunch Hunt Down Moose and Take a 2-1 Series Lead
Winnipeg, MB (April 22, 2008) – For the third straight game, the Crunch and Moose needed the extra session to decide their tilt in the best-of-seven first round playoff matchup, as the Crunch defeated Manitoba in ovettime tonight, 2-1 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.
Winnipeg, MB (April 22, 2008) – For the third straight game, the Crunch and Moose needed the extra session to decide their tilt in the best-of-seven first round playoff matchup, as the Crunch defeated Manitoba in ovettime tonight, 2-1 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.
Both teams came out looking to take control of the series and gain a 2-1 advantage. Each team had some good early scoring opportunities, but neither could capitalize.
Manitoba’s best chance came when the Moose created a turnover in the Crunch zone and Brad Moran scooted in with a partial breakaway.
Moran shot low to the stick side, but Karl Goehring’s right pad was there to stifle him and keep the game scoreless. Goehring denied all 12 shots he faced in the first period.
Cory Schneider also held strong in the Manitoba net, turning away all 9 Crunch shots he faced, many of them coming on three first period Crunch power plays.
The second period was similar to the first in the fact that the play was even once again. The Moose struck first for the third time in as many games when Michael Grabner batted home a rebound on a strange play at the 12:19 mark of the second
Jannik Hansen streaked in on a breakaway and shot it high. The puck took a strange carom off the boards and bounced back in front of the net. Brett Motherwell tried to clear the puck, but it hopped over his stick and bounced on to the waiting lumber of Grabner who roofed the rebound over the left shoulder of Goehring.
The Crunch battled back to tie the game just over four minutes later. Zenon Konopka spun off a defender to the left side of Manitoba starter Cory Schneider. Konopka threw the puck at the net and the puck hit off of Rick Rypien and bounced into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
The third period was full of high-tempo playoff action. Both goalies stood tall, especially Goehring, who had 32 saves through regulation and withstood a barrage of chances from Manitoba in the third frame.
In the overtime session it was the Crunch who came out victorious. After a flurry of scoring chances on both ends, Konopka found a streaking Motherwell nine minutes in who wristed a shot from the point that was deflected by Tom Sestito and found its way to the back of the net for the game-winner.
Three Stars
- Karl Goehring (35 saves on 36 shots)
- Cory Schneider (28 saves on 30 shots)
- Tom Sestito (Ovetime-winning goal)