WINNIPEG, MB – The Manitoba Moose win in Laval lSaturday night which win means, the Moose now have matched the total number of points they achieved last season, in just 44 games this year.

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The first period belonged to special teams with both Laval and Manitoba combining for six power plays. The first goal of the game came from Brendan Lemieux from Charles-David Beaudoin at the 2:58 point. The Moose thought they scored another 1:35 later, but the goal was disallowed and Mason Appleton was assessed a goaltender interference penalty. Laval finally struck on the man advantage with Adam Cracknell putting one past Michael Hutchinson with 4:38 left in the period.

Manitoba, on a power–play regained the Moose lead at 5:58 of the second. Michael Spacek fired a shot that hit a body in front of the net and redirected between the pipes for a goal and the 2-1 lead. A little over two minutes later Appleton scored to make it 3-1. The were strong on the second period, keeping the score at 3-1 to close the second.

JC Lipon gave the Moose some breathing room when he scored early in the third period. Manitoba certainly got some help from Michael Hutchinson in the third, he made 13 saves in the period. The only puck to beat the Hutchinson came in the final minute, Chris Terry scored on a Laval power play. For the second night in a row, Patrice Cormier put one into an empty net, making the final score at 5-2 in favour of the Moose.

David Marshal, Manitoba Moose