With a sizable chunk of the offence on loan to the Vancouver Canucks or on the shelf with a variety of ailments, the Manitoba Moose needed someone to carry the mantle as the go-to guy.

It was expected they'd have to do it by committee but Michael Grabner has ascended to the throne.

The Austrian speedster scored for the fifth consecutive game -- this time netting a pair to give him 13 on the season -- to lead the Moose to a 5-1 victory over the Rochester Americans before a crowd of 7,557 at the MTS Centre last night.

There have been the expected growing pains for the first round selection of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, but Grabner seems to be figuring out that he can have an impact every game with his strong skating and heavy shot.

The emergence of Michael Grabner as a primary scoring option has been big news around these parts.

And in the coming days, we'll find out if the rookie winger with the Manitoba Moose will take his place among the rising American Hockey League stars in Binghamton, N.Y., at the end of the month for the annual AHL All-Star Classic.

(skip)

The Austrian speedster is a high profile first round draft pick (14th overall, Vancouver Canucks, 2006), who has moved into the team scoring lead and is among the Top-5 rookie scorers in the AHL.
Grabner's recent stretch -- the 20-year-old saw his five-game goal scoring streak end last night -- has been a thing of beauty to witness.

The man who scored 55 goals and 105 points with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League the past two seasons has been using his speed and shot and the results have been impressive.

Labels: Grabner, Moose news

"It was crazy, I guess it's going to be a fun series against them this year," Jeff Cowan said. "It was intense right from the start to the end.

"Their style of play is real dirty and grinding and with Keenan there it's only going to get worse."

• Wannabe winners. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
• Schneider makes the perfect start. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
• Iron Mike's mettle tested. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
• Keenan a favourite in Vancouver - thanks to Luongo. (Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald)
• Tense times again for Luongo, Keenan. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
• Learning to love that new uniform. (Tom Mayenknecht, Vancouver Sun)

Labels: Flames, game recap, Grabner, Keenan, Schneider

• Vancouver prospects make impression on Moose coach. (Ken Wiebe, Winnipeg Sun)
• Canucks main camp calls for top prospects. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
• Grabner finally getting a grip? (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
• Simek's hopes and head are up. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
• 'OK' camp puts Grabner on spot. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)

Labels: Grabner, Simek

The only constant through three days of determining the dozen who will be promoted to main camp Thursday is the explosive play of right wingers Mason Raymond and Jannik Hansen.

While much ink has been spilled chronicling the battle between Edler and Bourdon for the seventh blueliner spot on an NHL roster that seems virtually set, the gaping second-line hole on right wing is fast becoming headline material.

Especially if the solution is found from within, rather than the trade route.

"For me, the best player on the ice [Sunday] was Hansen," said Vigneault. "He had a lot of speed and good moves. If he comes to main camp and does what he's doing now, then we'll have to see if we have a player."

• A few of the folks from HF Boards went to prospects camp and give their reviews. (HFBoards)
• Ellington inspired by brother's attitude. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
• Little hope for diminutive Coulombe. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
• Famous disappearing act not recommended. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
• Hunt just happy to 'soak it all in'. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
• Injury almost ended career. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
• At this camp, age matters. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
• Goaltenders fight for their future. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)

• Goaltending consultant sticks with prospects, fine-tuning Luongo comes later. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
• Victoria is where it all begins. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
• Isbister expected to boost offence. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
• The Island is rooting for its favourite son, Willie Mitchell. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
• Watch for Canucks, coaches on and off the ice. (Brian Drewry, Victoria Times Colonist)
• Arena ready for Canucks. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)

Labels: Bourdon, Coulombe, Edler, Ellington, Grabner, Hansen, Hunt, Isbister, Mitchell, Raymond

Kevin Bieksa knows there's nothing worse than wounded pride, because any non-playoff team can be a handful if taken lightly.

The Canucks defenceman admitted that's what happened Tuesday at St. Louis in a 3-1 loss to the Blues, who prevailed without traded stars Keith Tkachuk and Bill Guerin.

"We've learned that lesson the hard way against a team we should probably beat," said Bieksa.

"They had lost their best two players and I think Louie [Roberto Luongo] put it best -- there are no free points.

"We definitely want to come out and put them [Coyotes] away early because we know they have nothing to lose and will be playing for pride. We want to give them a reason to shut it down a little."

The Canucks sang that same refrain before home-ice losses to Chicago (Feb. 7), a shootout setback to Columbus (Jan.30) and an overtime loss to Los Angeles (Jan. 26).

• Alain Vigneault hopes that Taylor Pyatt can play tonight. - Ben Kuzma (Vancouver Province)
• The Coyotes are starting over. Again. - Iain MacIntyre (Vancouver Sun)
• The Manitoba Moose are welcoming Marc Chouinard with open arms. - Adam Wazny (Winnipeg Sun)
• They're getting their rosters ready for the playoffs as well. - Adam Wazny (Winnipeg Sun)
• Canucks' 2006 1st-rounder, Michael Grabner, has bounced back from an earlier tongue-lashing from coach Bill Peters. He has three hat-tricks in the last two weeks and was named the CHL's Player of the Week last week. - Spokesman Review, WHL.ca
• Another Canucks draft pick, Mason Raymond, was also named WCHA's Offensive Player of the Week. - UMD Bulldogs

Labels: Chouinard, Coyotes, game day preview, Grabner, Moose, Raymond