It was beginning to look a bit like deja vu for the Monsters in Manitoba on Tuesday, finding themselves down 3-0 early in the third, after being shutout 5-0 the night before.  The sticks came alive later in the period though, scoring two goals in a span of 45 seconds, and bringing Lake Erie to within one of the Moose with five minutes left to play.  Unfortunately for the Monsters, they were unable to complete the comeback, falling by a 3-2 score to Manitoba.

Lake Erie is now 0-3 against the Moose so far this season.  The teams will meet for the fourth and final time in the Monsters last game of the year on April 11th.

Alexandre Bolduc started the scoring for the home team, finding the back of the net 10:24 into the first period.  He was assisted by Josh Soares.

And that was the last time the scoreboard would change for almost two full periods.

Manitoba managed to outshoot the Monsters, 9-3, in the opening frame, but neither team was able to convert after Bolduc's goal.

The first period finished with the Moose holding their 1-0 lead.

The second period was more of the same, as the entire session came and went with no goals from either side.  Both teams had seven shots a piece in the period.

So heading into the third, Manitoba still clung to their 1-0 lead.

Then the fireworks began.

Dylan Yeo scored at the 2:54 mark of the third on a power play opportunity.  Bolduc and Shaun Heshka were given the assists on the play.

Less than four minutes later, Nolan Baumgartner gave his Moose a 3-0 advantage, scoring on another power play at 6:15.  He was helped by Heshka and Michael Ouellet.

Lake Erie newcomer Josh Aspenlind, playing in just his third game, was the first to respond for the Monsters.  His goal at the 13:50 mark of the third was assisted by Chris Durno, who leads the team with 17 assists on the year.

Just 45 seconds later, Nigel Williams made a game of it, scoring unassisted at 14:35, and bringing the Monsters to within only one goal with more than five minutes left to play.

Although Lake Erie outshot Manitoba, 11-9, in the final frame, they were not able to score again, and fell to the Moose, 3-2.

Jason Bacashihua picked up 22 saves on 25 shots.  Across the ice, Manitoba All-Star goalie Cory Schneider rejected 19 of 21 shots faced.

The Monsters will have a few days to regroup before returning home to Quicken Loans Arena on Friday to host another North Division rival, the Syracuse Crunch.  Lake Erie is 3-1 against Syracuse so far this season, including two shutouts by Tyler Weiman.