MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Winnipeg - In their first game back in white after a seven-game road trip, the Moose had a happy homecoming beating the Toronto Marlies 2-1. James Neal and Alexandre Bolduc netted Manitoba’s two goals while Cory Schneider earned his eighth straight victory by saving 31 shots.

It only took 20 seconds for the Moose to register their first shot against visiting goaltender Adam Munro which triggered a hooking penalty to Toronto’s defenseman Phil Oreskovic. Manitoba was unable to get a shot on or into the Toronto net and stayed scoreless with only one attempt after the penalty.

The Marlies power play unit made their debut at 11:35 when Alexandre Bolduc was penalized for cross-checking. The visitors rallied in the minutes following the infraction, firing four shots on Cory Schneider and keeping the Moose from making any offensive progress. The penalty expired and both clubs went goalless on their first man-advantages of the night.

At 17:23 Zack FitzGerald’s delay of game penalty wouldn’t hinder the Moose’s scoring chances. Intercepting a pass by Marlies defense, James Neal extended his point streak to four-games and netted the first goal of the night shorthanded

Opening the second period, the Moose benefited from their second power play thanks to a hooking fine to Darryl Boyce. The home squad wasn’t able to capitalize on the opportunity but achieved their first shot lead of the game, 12-11.

At 7:15 Boyce would repeat his mistake, getting called-out for hooking for the second time. Moments later Kris Newbury would give the Moose a two-man lead with an interference call; however, both penalties would time-out before the scoreboard saw any action.

FitzGerald was sent to the sin bin for the second time of the night, this stay for holding. The Marlies didn’t take much time to position themselves in the Moose’s zone and evened the score with nine seconds into the penalty, courtesy of Mark Bell’s rebound.

The Moose ended the middle frame on the power play, but two saves by Munro and one by his right goal post would leave the game tied entering the third.

Neck-and-neck in shots and tied at one, both teams were desperately trying to gain the game’s lead as the third period progressed. At 8:20 Alexandre Bolduc wrapped around Munro’s net and chipped it in to break the tie, 2-1.

Thirty-five seconds later Manitoba’s lead was tested, as Michel Ouellet was reprimanded for hooking. The Moose’s penalty killers, first in the AHL, looked flawless, clearing the puck on numerous occasions and keeping the puck away from Schneider’s net.

With a minute left in the third period, Toronto opted to pull Munro for an extra attacker. The decision didn’t result in a goal and the Moose stole the game, 2-1.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Moose will close out their first home series against the Toronto Marlies tomorrow night at the MTS Centre following the annual Power Smart/Winnipeg Jaycees Santa Claus Parade in downtown Winnipeg.

NEXT GAME

Saturday, November 15, 2008 – 7:30 p.m. @ MTS Centre

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