Winnipeg Free Press
Sun, Dec 2, 2001

SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- If you were wondering how Brad Leeb would handle his promotion to the Vancouver Canucks and then almost immediate return to the Manitoba Moose, the answer is well.

Leeb, who was recalled by the Canucks for two games in late November and then shipped back to Winnipeg last weekend, had a pair of goals last night to lead the Moose to a 3-2 win over the Saint John Flames in AHL action at Harbour Station.

The Moose dumped the Flames for the second consecutive night and now are winners of four in a row and have improved their record to 11-8-0-2. Manitoba will travel to Quebec City for games tomorrow and Wednesday against the Citadelles.

For the second-straight night the Moose came up with a superior effort, getting contributions from all four lines, six defenceman and a once-again brilliant goalie Martin Brochu. "We rolled four lines. Everybody played the same and everyone contributed. It was great," said Moose forward Jason Cipolla. "If we can continue to do that we're gonna be a strong team."

Leeb in particular was tremendous. Both of his goals were highlight-reel calibre and he patrolled his wing with defensive verve. Leeb said he was disappointed about his return to Winnipeg but was determined not to let it affect his play.

"It was a good return. Everybody's playing well right now and it's easier to come back when everyone is going well. Things are going our way right now," said Leeb, 22. "It is disappointing coming from Vancouver whenever they send you down. But you have to look at the positives. There's not much room up there right now and I must have been doing something right to get someone's attention. I'll take the positives and I got some good feedback from them."

With the game tied 1-1 after goals from Saint John winger Blair Betts and Manitoba forward Justin Morrison in the first period, Leeb put the game away for the Moose with a pair of second period scores.

The first was a shorthanded effort that saw Leeb convert on a two-on-one pass from Andre Savage. Deep in the Saint John zone Savage slid the puck to Leeb who fired a wrist shot that Flames goalie Kay Whitmore had no opportunity to stop.

Leeb didn't wait very long to score his second of the night and sixth of the season, putting the Moose ahead 3-1. He took a pass from linemate Brandon Reid in the neutral zone, found himself with a little space and burst across the St. John blue line and zapped a scorching wrist shot past Whitmore from high in the zone.

Saint John got a goal from Jason Morgan early in the third period to bring the score to 3-2 but were unable to get the tying marker.

Brochu and the Moose penalty-killing unit were put to the test as Manitoba was handed consecutive minors midway through the frame. Saint John elevated their pace but the Moose were able to match them.

"I like the way we came back tonight," said Moose coach Stan Smyl. "You're always concerned that you'll be satisfied with the two points. In talking to them this morning as a group, they weren't satisfied. We have to compete with a snarl in games like this. These are physical games and we have to show them that it won't be easy for them. Just because we won the first game doesn't mean we won't fight tonight. Our guys showed that."



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