Moose rout Marlies

TORONTO, Ont – Finally the Moose have shown why they finished top of the AHL standings. Looking somewhat shadow of its regular season self the Manitoba Moose went into game four looking for a decisive win, and win in style is what they did hammering a Toronto Marlies team struggling with discipline 5-1 to tie the series 2-2. Staying out of the penalty box has been a problem all series for the Marlies but taking needless penalties will cost you dearly. But when your netminder is also chipping in the minutes something needs to addressed. With just over a minute gone Marlies netminder Justin Pogge got called for tripping, but the Marlies defense limited the Moose to just two easy shots. As we have seen all series the players once again come together pushing shoving after every whistle around net, giving referee in charge Chris Ciamaga a very busy night. Despite a number of powerplay chances in the first to both team’s the score stayed level at 0-0 with Pogge the busier of the netminders facing 13 shots compared to just six on Cory Schneider.  Starting the second as the first finished, a continuous stream of players headed to the penalty box, but it was Marlies center Alex Foster penalty that sent things in motion for the Moose. As Foster sat for roughing the Moose broke the scoring deadlock with a timely slap shot through a crowd of players by defenseman Mark Fistric at 23:18. Seeing their own fair share of penalties the Moose were forced back as the Marlies powerplay unit took to the ice. It wasn’t long before the game was tied when poor zonal marking left a stranded Bates Battaglia at the side of the net to hit home past Schneider for his second of the series. Unfortunately for the Marlies that was as good as it got thanks to poor discipline. During an extended break for television Marlies forward Andre Deveaux took it upon himself to put Moose P.C Labrie to the ice giving himself a two minute misconduct penalty his second of the night. Just 30 seconds later the Moose were ahead 2-1 through Max Fortunus, a deflected shot in front of net. The Moose wrapped the period up with a third goal from Jason Jaffray his third of the series. Failing to learn from their mistakes the revolving door of the Marlies penalty box continued to swing. By this time the Moose were in full control. What little pressure the Marlies did create was easily swept up by Schneider in net leaving the frustrated Marlies looking for answers on home ice. Good work along the boards by Dusty Collins led to the Moose taking a 4-1 lead. Digging the puck out to a waiting Greg Rallo who fired over Pogge in net to give the visitors a comfortable lead with less than ten minutes to play. A final powerplay goal in the dying minutes by Jason Krog gave the visitors a 5-1 win and series tieing victory. No doubt lessons need to be learnt for the Marlies if they are to proceed further. Silly penalties are costly errors and the Marlies are learning the hard way.   Contact the author at Kevin.oconnor@prohockeynews.com