Moose Take Two In Mass

The weekend of February 20 and 21 found the Metro Moose Junior B team heading north to face the Mass Maple Leafs. The past two years, the Moose and Leafs have had a great rivalry. The teams have traded wins and have constantly battled for first place in the league and in the conference. The Moose knew this weekend would be huge in determining the outcome of their regular season and help prepare them for the post season as well.

On Saturday, the Moose arrived at CDL Arena with a huge fan contingent. The Moose used the tremendous support and jumped on the Leafs in the first period. The game was fast and physical. Captain Steve Kelly got the Moose started nearly fifteen minutes in off great passes from his line mates KC Krober and John Quinn. Joseph Gilhooly continued the attack just four minutes later off dishes from Greg Kubrak and Anthony Alloggio. With just two seconds to go in the first period Kelly would capitalize on a Leafs turnover just inside their zone and put the Moose up 3-0 heading into the first intermission. John Quinn would add the fourth Moose tally just two minutes into the second period. The Moose were ahead 4-0 and seemed to be in complete control of the game. After a stupid play by the Moose, the Leafs woke up and got the next four goals of the game to even the score heading into the second intermission. The team regrouped in the dressing room and came out determined again in the third period. Kelly would pick up his third of the game just under six minutes into the third to put the Moose up one. After that the teams traded great scoring chances but both goaltenders came up big. The Moose held on for an emotional 5-4 victory.

Sunday morning’s game was almost a mirror image of Saturday but the tide was turned. The Leafs would jump out to a 4-0 first period lead as they totally dominated an unemotional Moose team. The Moose headed into the intermission knowing they had to wake up and start playing their game before they got blown out. They came out with an edge and completely dominated Mass in the second period to even the score at 4 heading into the third. Matt Galeano scored two consecutive goals on the power play to get the team going with assists going to Kelly, Gavin Grogan and Dan Honovic. Greg Kubrak would add the Moose’s third tally, a shorthanded snipe just fifty seconds after Galeano’s second. Forward AJ Carazo evened it, off a great pass from Anthony Alloggio. In the third it was Steve Kelly who continued his dominant play over the weekend picking up another game winner midway through the period. Steve Laris would then close the door and the Moose completed the weekend sweep.

The two huge wins meant the team was in control of its destiny heading into the final weekend of the season against the Philadelphia Blazers. Two more wins and the team would clinch the regular season title and with it the automatic bid to USA Hockey Junior B Nationals.