Winnipeg Sun
Friday, February 1, 2002
By Ken Wiebe -- Winnipeg Sun

Bring on the stretch drive.

After missing the playoffs with the Kansas City Blades in the IHL last season, many members of the Manitoba Moose are excited to be involved not only in a chase for the playoffs, but the quest for first place in the Canadian division and Eastern Conference.

"It is for sure," said Moose winger Brad Leeb, whose squad enters the weekend two points behind the Hamilton Bulldogs. "We have a lot of guys who have been together the last few years and haven't been in a position where we've been at the top of the conference. It is exciting and I think we're just learning how to win and how to play for the win every night.

"As close as we are, I think we can play better and get higher up."

The chase isn't all that has been stimulating for head coach Stan Smyl.

"It's been exciting right from Day 1, it hasn't been easy all year," he offered. "In the end, it's going to be a tight race. We're all going to be close. We've got a lot games within our conference, so it's in our hands."



BACK