Quarter Grades

The Moose have just hit the first quarter pole of what can be described as a up and down start to the year. At times during the first 20, the Moose have seen has many as nine first year pros in their lineup! While there have been games where Manitoba has dominated, they have also shown their lack of experiance. The Moose have been shut out three times already this season and have at times failed to put pucks in the net in close games. There have been some bright spots to start, the emergence of Eddie Lack comes to mind as well as Cody Hodgson's streak the past ten games. Alright lets not wait any longer, here are the first quarter grades for this season's Manitoba Moose!


G Eddie Lack A+

There hasn’t been a bigger surprise in the Canucks organization this season than the emergence of Eddie Lack! Lack came into Vancouver’s training camp as a relative unknown and ended up stealing the show at their prospects camp and tournament. Lack has since parleyed that into a fight for the #1 goalie spot with Tyler Weiman. Standing at 6’5 without skates, I cannot remember a goalie that was as big or filled as much of the net as Lack. His numbers have helped the Moose place in the top 5 in overall goals against average and save percentage in the AHL.

C Cody Hodgson A+


Hodgson has been the most dangerous sniper for the Moose this season. He got off to a slow start this season due to his back injury but has since turned it on and leads the Moose in goals with 9. He has shown great vision on the ice and his shot reminds me a lot of Brett Hull's snap shot! The only work Hodgson needs is to get a little quicker as at times he is slow even by AHL standards.


L Jeff Tambellini A+


Originally signed to play a big part of the Moose offense, baring some sort of miracle I doubt we see Tambellini back in a Moose uniform again this season. Tambellini has since found himself a second line role with Vancouver. During his stint here, he showed his skill and shot was far above this league.


R Sergei Shirokov A


If there is an award for comeback player, Id give it to him. Shirokov after an up and down season last year and then coming to training camp out of shape is finally rounding his game out. He currently leads the Moose in points and plays on the top line with Cody Hodgson. If he keeps this up, a fulltime spot in the NHL shouldn't be too far away.


D Lee Sweatt A


The oldest of the Sweatt brothers, Lee has become one of the Moose go to Dmen this season. Sweatt currently sits second to Cody Hodgson in total shots on goal with 61. While Sweatt only has three goals to this point, one would think the flood gates will open soon should he continue to pepper the opositions goalies.


C Mario Bliznak A-

Most people wouldn't notice him during games but this is Bliznak's style. Not known for his offense, Bliznak has become the go-to guy for defensive zone faceoffs and a top penalty killer. The last week, he spent some time centering the second line and has also earned a callup to Vancouver already this season. Mike Keane has taught him well!

C Jordan Schroeder B

Jordan Schroeder's play this season can best be described as streaky. He began the season with a couple multiple point games but then fell off the radar before he scored a pair of goals against Rockford a week ago. It should be noted that Schroeder is coming out of the NCAA where the season is only half as long so some struggles are to be expected.

G Tyler Weiman B-

Weiman was brought in this past offseason to take over from Cory Schneider. Expectations couldnt have been higher for Weiman and his record with Lake Erie the past three season prove he can play with the top dogs of this league. However, to this point Weiman has failed to run away with the #1 job. Despite giving up a few softies he does have respectable numbers thus far and I wouldnt rule out Weiman rounding into his usual form in the next month.

L Bill Sweatt B-


The other Sweatt, Bill has proven to be a real speedster this season. He has 5 goals and 12 points threw the first quarter but must still work on his consistancy. The first half has been all or nothing for him.


D Kevin Connauton B-


The first thing I have noticed with Connauton this season was his booming shot! Connauton leads all Moose D in points with 8 and his offensive ability will only get better. At this point, it's his defensive game that neads a lot of work.


R Kevin Clark B-


Showing everybody that size doesn't matter, the 5'8 155 lb Kevin Clark continues to bang and crash his way around the ice and onto the scoresheet this season. While making the NHL is a bit of a long shot, he is one to look out for.


R Jonas Andersson B-


Andersson was just starting to get going before getting derailed by an injury and missing a few weeks. When he is in the lineup, Andersson has shown great hockey sense in the offensive zone and a knack for putting the puck on net.


D Nolan Baumgartner B-


Baumgartner has replaced Mike Keane as team captain this season and continues to offer his leadership and advice to the Moose youngsters. His overall game isn't what it once was, Baumgartner has been very prone to giveaways this season.


L Aaron Volpatti B-


There is one thing that Volpatti does and does very well, he hits everything that moves! He has also been willing to drop the gloves with the best of them, Wade Brookbank for example. Volpatti has brought himself into contention for a possible callup for help of the struggling Canucks checking line.


C Marco Rosa C+


After leading the Moose in goals last season, Rosa only has 2 goals to show for the first 20 games. The Moose have had a tad more depth at centre this season resulting in Rosa playing third line minutes on some occasions.


C Joel Perrault C+


Perrault has been a dissapointment this season. He was signed as the first line centre and thus far like Rosa only has 2 goals. He earned a recent callup to Vancouver by default due to his NHL experiance the past few seasons in Phoenix to help a struggling fourth line.


R Victor Oreskovich C+


Oreskovich has brought some energy to the Moose lineup this season and has shown an ability to play both on a scoring role and checking role.


D Travis Ramsey C+

After playing in all 80 games plus 6 playoff games for the Moose last season, Ramsey has only

appeared in 7 of the 19 games this season due to the numbers game. Ramsey to this point has only had one disappointing game where two penalties cost two power play goals against. He remains one of the better defensive defensemen on the Moose roster and should see a little more ice during the next 20.

R Tom Maxwell C


Maxwell is entering his third season as a Moose and continues to bring toughness and grit to the Moose lineup


D Evan Oberg C


Oberg hasn't shown much improvement in his game from last season, and his offense is even down. He has some work to do before he gets another call-up to Vancouver.


D Mark Flood C


Mark Flood was brought in to add a veteran presence on the backend this offseason and he hasn't dissapointed. Unfortunately he has missed the last few weeks due to injury


D Chris Tanev C


Chris Tanev has made the jump to the pros after one season in the NCAA and has had a few hiccups during the first 20. His defensive game needs a lot of a work to keep up at this level but remember, he is still only 19 and one of the youngest players in the league so there is much room for improvement.


D Ryan McGinnis C


Like Travis Ramsey, McGinnis hasn't seen much ice due to the number of defensemen in the system this season. When he has played, McGinnis has been steady and has shown he does belong at the AHL level. McGinnis does have some work to do to refine his game. He is currently playing for the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL.

C Stefan Schneider C-

A former defenseman turned centre, Schneider is a project at this point. Although he does have two goals to his name and is getting extra ice on the second power play unit as the big body infront of the net.

L Shawn Weller C-

Weller hasn't seen much action this season, he seems to be in the mold of Volpatti in that he also hits anything that moves.

First Quarter Awards:

MVP: Cody Hodgson

Unsung Hero: Kevin Clark

Hardest Working Player: Aaron Volpatti

Top Defensemen: Lee Sweatt

Top Rookie: Cody Hodgson