MOOSE REBOUND FROM HORRIBLE START - WIN 6 OF LAST 7

November 10, 2010

MOOSE REBOUND FROM HORRIBLE START
FOR A STEADY CLIMB UP THE STANDINGS LADDER

After a rough few weeks as the season got underway, the Moose have turned our fortunes around, winning 6 of our last 7, and with games in hand, could move within 3 points of 5th place this weekend.

After achieving their first win with a 9-7 win in a wide open affair against the Jets from Jamestown, the Moose followed up the next week with a shootout win in Shelburne against the Russian Red Wings, and after losing in South Muskoka, missing Captain Gainmarco Aiello and D'man Rupert Quiney with serious injuries sustained in an NCAA game against Oswego the previous night, have reeled off 4 straight wins to get back to the .500 level in early November. 

The Moose travelled to Jamestown for a rematch with the Jets, and tied the game 15 seconds from time, before winning 4-3 in a shootout; scoring back to back, home and home series wins against Oro-Medonte; and finally dominating the new Lumberjacks from Sturgeon Falls in a 7-2 win last weekend.

The Moose have achieved that feat, still without Aiello and Quiney, and with other players missing from the lineup, have found a way to compete with 12 and 13 skaters most nights.

Coach Mike Pain and Assistant Coach Kain Tisi have done a great job working with the limited group, and the team have found what may very well be one of the top lines in the league, affectionately known as the Swiss Army Line.  Consisting of Swiss internationals Ivo Michel, in his second year with the Moose, Juri Egger, a former teammate of Michel's in Switzerland, and Thomas Savioz (pronounced SAV-E-O), the line has been dominating play of late, combining for 13 points in Saturday's win over the Lumberjacks.

The Moose will look to continue the momentum this weekend, first touring the North to play the Avalanche Thursday night, facing league leading Elliot Lake on Friday, before the long drive home and facing the visiting Deseronto Storm Saturday night in Thornhill. 

NOTES:  Aiello is almost set to return, and may play against the Storm at home.  Quiney is now facing surgery to a broken collarbone suffered in the NCAA game and may miss up to 8 or 10 more weeks.  Steve Rigutto will also not make the trip due to school commitments, as is Will Phippen, though newly acquired Anthony Ranieri, a 4 year veteran of the OJHL and late cut of the Sudbury Wolves Major Junior club, is coming off an injury, has received clearance to play, and will make his debut this weekend for the Moose.

(courtesy Toronto Canada Moose)