MOOSE LOSE BOTH GAMES OF NORTHERN ROAD TRIP

November 7, 2011

Toronto, ON - The Moose headed north for our first of two overnighters this season for games against the Voyageurs and Titans, but came home on the losing end in both.

Missing regulars Ian Chen (SAT writing), Avery Rosen (Finger), Sergei Gridin (Flu), and Colin Fallis (School), the Moose headed north with 13 skaters, only 12 of which could play in the first game of the weekend.  Jordan Macdonald was suspended for one game as a result of a fight with Peter Mosher of the Voyageurs in what was a chippy affair the previous weekend in Thornhill, and would have to sit out the return engagement.

The rematch would also turn out to be a chippy affair, and the Moose were flat all night long, never really able to get comfortable on Mattawa's smaller size rink.

Cody Lacelle gave the home side the lead in the first minute of the game, a lead that would hold up through to the intermission.  Colton Gdanski put the Voyaguers up by 2 six mintes in, and 3 Mattawa goals in 67 seconds within the last two minutes of the period sealed the result for the Voyaguers.

Both teams exchanged chances, and penalties, in the third, but nothing got past Richard Wigmore in Mattawa's net, who recorded the shutout on 40 saves.

With Macdonald back in the lineup, the Moose headed to Temiscaming to take on the perfect Titans, not knowing what to expect considering the 20-0 demolition of Bobcaygeon the night before.  The Moose lost our home encounter with the Titans a few weeks earlier, 9-5, with two horrible periods after a solid first, so we knew we could compete, even with a limited roster.

The teams traded goals in the first period, which ended in a 2-2 tie.  After a scoreless second, the game was still tied late in the game until Moose goaltender Mike Smart was assessed a tripping penalty with 5 minutes to play.  It only took 9 seconds for the Titans to take advantage, with Richard Abbott giving them the lead.  Temiscaming's leading scorer Andre Leclair then sealed the deal with an unassisted goal at 18:51, after a bad giveaway by the Moose defense.

The Moose competed hard all game long, and will look to build on that for this weekend's games against Deseronto, Elliot Lake and Orangeville, and thankful to have a more complete lineup ready to go.

NEWS AND NOTES:

18 year old forward Ben Malka made his debut this past weekend, coming over from the North York Rangers of the OJHL.  He hadn't played a game in a few weeks and while he looked a little rusty in a game situation, he will definitely be an asset.

The Moose participated in several Halloween events in Markham the previous weekend, and our efforts in the community continue.  This Saturday night againt the Bobcats is 'Big Brothers/Big Sisters' night, we're participating with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Canada, and will be involved in the upcoming Markham Christmas parade later in November.