The Manitoba Moose scored three early goals and it was all uphill from there for the Amerks. While managing to have have 23 more shots on goal than the Moose (35-12 final shot tally), two late goals by Stefan Meyer wasn’t enough. The team did put together a great effort, something we havn’t seen in recent games.
Adam Dennis was pulled at the end of the first period after allowing three goals in the first 11 minutes.  Tyler Plante finished the game without allowing any goals.ÂÂ
The first goal was scored by Luc Bourdon when he fired a shot through the 5 hole of Adam Dennis.  Martin Lojek screened Dennis as he was skating in front of the net to get back into position. Once Dennis saw the puck it was too late and it was in the net.
On the second goal Adam Dennis made the save and deflected it away but it went right at Mike Funk who then tried to knock it away but instead it fell right on to the stick of Mike Keane who easily put it in the net.
The third goal was scored unassisted by Alexandre Boulduc. As he skated in on net Peter Aston went down on the ice to try and block a shot, Boulduc skated around him, Dennis must’ve been anticipating a pass and provided an easy opening between him and the goal post that Boulduc shot the puck through.
The entire team managed to put a lot of pressure on Manitoba in the second and third periods. Every chance they had to bring the puck into the Manitoba end of the ice they worked hard to get some scoring chances.
Stefan Meyer scored the Amerks first goal of the game at 6:43 of the third on the power play. Marek Zagrapan fed a cross ice pass to Mike Weber who fired a shot, Stefan Meyer was parked in front of the net and as the puck trickled past Corey Schneider he stuffed it into the net.
Shortly after that the Moose had the chance to take a 4-1 lead as Luc Bourdon fired a shot from the point and Tyler Plante made an outstanding glove save.
At 14:08 of third Stefan Meyer made it a 3-2 game as he skated untouched to the front of the net and Adam Taylor fed him a perfect pass to knock it into the net.
With under a minute left Mark Mancari shot the puck from the point, was knocked down and went through the goal crease and no one was able to knock it in to tie the game.
The Amerks are now winless in there last nine games against Manitoba, are on a five game losing streak, and are last place in the AHL… but we saw a great effort put forth by the team tonight that can’t be said about previous games.
There seemed to be more chemistry between the players on the ice, which we said was needed. It was also mentioned that maybe the Manitoba Moose thought it would be an easy game and took the Amerks for granted, but given the state of the Amerks this season we’re going to call it a great effort against the second place team.
Clark MacArthur was called up to the Buffalo Sabres earlier on Saturday and did not play. Franklin MacDonald was a healthy scratch. Andrej Sekera is still out with the flu. Mike Card suffered a concussion on Friday night and did not play.
The Amerks next game is on Friday at home against the Manchester Monarchs. Game time is at 7:35 and will also be broadcast live on Time Warner Sportsnet Channel 26 in Rochester as well as Hot Talk 1280 WHTK and B2 Networks.
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