MANITOBA 5, HAMILTON 4
Manitoba’s top line of Marco Rosa, Jason Jaffray, and Sergei Shirokov sprung to life just in time to help the Moose avoid a 3-0 series deficit in the North Division Finals, combining for seven points in a 5-4 victory over visiting Hamilton in Game 3 on Tuesday at the MTS Centre.
Rosa, Jaffray, and Shirokov were big contributors in Manitoba’s opening-round triumph over Lake Erie but had been held without a point by Hamilton in the first two games of this series.
Rosa broke out with a goal and two assists, while Jaffray and Shirokov each contributed a goal and one helper. Rosa moved into a share of second in the AHL with 15 points (6-9-15) in 10 postseason games this spring.
Alexandre Bolduc and rookie Jordan Schroeder rounded out the offense for the Moose, who scored the first goal for the third time in as many games this round and finally came out on top. Defenseman Mark Flood chipped in two assists in the victory.
AHL All-Rookie goaltender Eddie Lack backstopped the win with 23 saves in net.
Ian Schultz, Aaron Palushaj, Gabriel Dumont, and Ryan White all scored for the Bulldogs, and goaltender Drew MacIntyre took the loss after surrendering a playoff-high five goals on 28 shots between the pipes.
The teams will get right back at it for Game 4 of the series on Wednesday night in Winnipeg.
North Division Finals – Series “K” (best-of-7)
N1-Hamilton Bulldogs vs. N3-Manitoba Moose || Preview
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 28 – HAMILTON 4, Manitoba 1
Game 2 – Sun., May 1 – HAMILTON 4, Manitoba 2
Game 3 – Tue., May 3 – MANITOBA 5, Hamilton 4
Game 4 – Wed., May 4 – Hamilton at Manitoba, 8:30
Game 5 – Fri., May 6 – Hamilton at Manitoba, 8:30
*Game 6 – Sun., May 8 – Manitoba at Hamilton, 7:30
*Game 7 – Mon., May 9 – Manitoba at Hamilton, 7:30
