Fast Facts: Moose vs. Grand Rapids – Oct. 24

Flying Solo

The only goal of Manitoba’s win on Friday was scored in the second period by Cole Maier as the Moose took the win 1-0. The last time Manitoba had a 1-0 victory was in Feb. 15/20 against the Milwaukee Admirals. Brent Pedersen had the only goal in that game and current Winnipeg Jet Eric Comrie made 35 saves for the shutout. The Moose and Griffins were previously involved in a 1-0 game on Jan. 10/20 when    Grand Rapids claimed the in courtesy of 23 saves from their netminder last night, Calvin Pickard.

The Berdin Wall

Moose netminder Mikhail Berdin is off to a hot start. The Ufa, Russia native has put up two shutouts in four games this season. His fifth career shutout, which came against Toronto, tied him for eighth on the Moose all-time list. With the latest clean sheet under his belt, Berdin moved into a tie for seventh place all-time with former netminder Tyler Moss who suited up with the team from 2002-2004.

Penalty Kill Skill

The Moose penalty kill was on full display on Friday night. Boosted by the energy from their home fans, the Moose went out and killed off all six man-advantage opportunities they faced. Two moments stood out in the game. The first was the Manitoba’s successful foiling of the Griffins on an extended look during a high-sticking double-minor. The second came late in the contest and with Calvin Pickard pulled for the extra attacker. The Moose surrendered just two power play goals in their first four games. The club holds a 86.7 percent kill-rate, which is third in the Central Division.

Winning Formula

Though the Moose are only four games into the season, a few trends are emerging. One of those is the ability of this Manitoba team to block and suppress chances and shots from their opponents.  Friday night’s win saw the Moose only give up 22 total shots. In Manitoba’s victory over the Toronto Marlies on Sunday, Manitoba allowed only 18 shots to get through to netminder Mikhail Berdin. The antlered ones have yet to allow a goal in a win. So far this season, the Moose have outshot their opposition every game and allowed more than 30 shots once.

Who's Trending?

Forward Cole Maier checked in with the only point of the night in the home opener win. Maier picked up his first goal of the season, sneaking home a shot inside the blueline. Maier has two points (1G, 1A) on the season. The forward is in his fourth season with Moose and has 32 points (17G, 15A) in 97 contests, all with Manitoba.