MOOSE STRIKE BACK TO EVEN SERIES AT ONE GAME APIECE

June 2, 2009

JAFFRAY SCORES THREE AS MOOSE RALLY TO TIE SERIES By: John Walton An early lead for HERSHEY didn’t hold up Tuesday night in Game 2 as the Manitoba Moose rallied for a 3-1 win at MTS Centre. The best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals are all even at a game apiece, with the next three games coming at GIANT Center. HERSHEY’S offensive heart and soul both in the regular season and the playoffs in 2008-09 started the scoring again on Tuesday night in Game 2. Alexandre Giroux, denied just moments earlier on a breakaway attempt, scored his 13th goal of the postseason at 12:31 to lift the BEARS to a 1-0 lead. With 10 shots to Manitoba’s eight in the first period, HERSHEY led by one at first intermission. The BEARS controlled much of the tempo of the game up until a power play goal by Jason Jaffray at 7:59 of the second period. The goal, from former Washington Capital Nolan Baumgartner and Michael Grabner, tied the game at 1-1. Neither team would score the rest of the second, but the Moose did manage to even the play as the teams played on toward period three. Through the final 20 minutes, the Moose and Bears each had chances, but Jaffray’s second goal of the night came in the final minute at 19:13 to clinch it for the Moose. Jaffray then finished a hat trick with an empty net goal with 9.9 left to finish the 3-1 win. The two teams come to GIANT Center Saturday night with the series tied at one game each. Notes: A limited number of tickets remain for Game 3 and Game 4 of the best-of-seven Calder Cup Final at GIANT Center. Game 3 is set for Saturday night at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday’s tilt slated for 5:00 p.m. For ticket information, call the GIANT Center box office at (717) 534-3911. The box office will open again Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. The penalty shot attempted by Matt Pope of the Moose in Game 1 was the first ever attempt by a Manitoba player in their Calder Cup playoff history. Greg Amadio replaced John Carlson in the lineup Tuesday night in Game 2. The appearance marked the first time since Game 5 of the East Division Finals against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton that Amadio was in the lineup. After an overtime loss in Game 1, Manitoba is now 1-12 in its last 13 Calder Cup playoff games lasting longer than 60 minutes. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Jason Jaffray (Hat trick propels Moose to victory) 2. Alexandre Giroux (Scores HERSHEY’S lone goal early) 3. Cory Schneider (Made big saves to keep the Moose in it early)