Langdon’s Cam Maclise and the Manitoba Moose are through to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs after knocking off the Grand Rapids Griffins in Game 5 April 30.
Although the Moose was the lower seed in the Central Division semifinal, the team managed to eliminate the defending Calder Cup Champions three games to two in the series.
“We should definitely be confident (after) taking down a team like Grand Rapids,” Maclise said.
“That was a good first stepping stone…. We knew (the series) was going to be tough, it was a war.”
While neither team was able to string together two wins in a row throughout the series, the Moose won Games 1, 3 and 5. According to Maclise, starting with a win is something the team should continue to do if it hopes to make it deep into the post-season.
“Game 1, whether you’re at home or on the road, is huge,” Maclise said.
“If you can get that first win, you get off on the right foot and set the tone for the rest of the series.”
Playing in a bottom-six role with the team, Maclise said he doesn’t see as much ice time as he did in junior hockey with the Brooks Bandits or U SPORTS with the Mount Royal Cougars. Still, Maclise achieved a major milestone in his career when he earned his first American Hockey League (AHL) playoff point, assisting on the Moose’s lone goal in a 5-1 loss to the Griffins April 22.
“It was definitely exciting to get my first point, but more importantly, just to be a part of that series,” Maclise said.
“Being able to contribute to the team and beat Grand Rapids is something I’ll be proud of – it’s something I’ll remember.”
Maclise and the Moose now move on to the Central Division Finals to take on the Rockford IceHogs, beginning May 4 (after press time).
The IceHogs eliminated the Central Division’s top seed Chicago Wolves in a three-game sweep in the first round and came into the post-season winning seven of its final 10 games.
Despite being the higher seed and holding home-ice advantage, Maclise said the Moose won’t take Rockford lightly as it aims to make a run at the franchise’s first-ever Calder Cup in the best-of-seven series.
“We’re aware of how good Rockford is,” Maclise said.
“They took out the number one seed in three games, so I don’t think we’re getting too far ahead of ourselves.
“At the close of the regular season, maybe you give them the edge – but now, both teams coming off the first round of the playoffs have proven we deserve to be battling it out for this division.”
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