Winnipeg Sun
Monday, November 12, 2001
By Ken Wiebe -- Winnipeg Sun

The stiffer the competition, the better the Manitoba Moose seem to play.

Thanks to a rock-solid 31-save performance from goalie Alfie Michaud and a beautiful goal from Brad Leeb 2:53 into overtime, the Moose earned a 2-1 victory over the AHL-leading Utah Grizzlies last night before 5,480 at Winnipeg Arena.

The win extended Manitoba's season-high win streak to three games -- all of which came against top-flight AHL competition -- and gives them five wins in their past six outings.

'EVERYTHING TIGHT'

"We feel like we match up against the top teams in the league," said Moose head coach Stan Smyl, whose squad won its first overtime game of the campaign.

"Everything was tight out there. It was interesting to watch players and how they react to situations when it's so close. We finally got the result in our favour."

With the win the Moose (7-5-0-2) move within one point of the Hamilton Bulldogs for second spot and five points behind the Quebec Citadelles for first place in the competitive Canadian Division.

For much of the night, Michaud and Wade Flaherty were putting on a goalie clinic out there with brilliant saves at every turn.

Flaherty, who was a perfect 7-0 going into the contest, was screened and had no chance on the quick snap-shot by Leeb -- which gave Manitoba its second one-goal victory of the season.

"It's a step in the right direction, coming down the stretch you're going to have more and more one-goal games and those are the games the good teams win," said Leeb.

"Winning these big games is gelling this team together," added Moose defenceman Bryan Helmer, who had an assist on the game-winner. "Tonight, the guys played really hard and we just kept putting the pressure on them."

The Moose depart for Houston this morning for games against the Aeros, who are in their first season as the primary affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, tomorrow and Wednesday at Compaq Center.



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