JESSE Schultz didn't score 53 goals in his final season of junior hockey by accident, and while that scoring touch has been absent at times during his pro career, the third-year Moose appears to be coming into his own.

Schultz, who scored just nine goals in 70 AHL games last season, leads the Moose with seven markers to date and has been a key offensive contributor.

"It's a nice feeling. I feel really good out there right now," said Schultz, who will lead the Moose into action against the Grand Rapids Griffins today (11 a.m., CJOB). "I'm shooting more, and that's how you get points. The net is looking a little bigger right now and I seem to be seeing the holes around the goalies."

Schultz scored 53 goals with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL during the 2002-03 season and then 27, mostly with the Columbia Inferno of the ECHL, the following year. Last season, his first full campaign with the Moose, Schultz struggled to get quality minutes on the ice, but under coach Alain Vigneault he's played on the club's second unit most nights and has seen lots of action on the power play.

"More ice time, and on the power play too. I'm not going to lie to you, the power-play time really helps your offensive numbers," Schultz said. "It helps your confidence, and that's the biggest thing when you talk about scoring. It's hard to be confident when you're playing four or five minutes a game. Those are the big differences for me -- confidence and experience. I was able to really learn a lot about that last year just watching how guys prepared for games at this level." The Moose and Griffins both have 19 points in the North Division and the winner of today's game will be alone in first place. Manitoba has lost three in a row but will get a boost for today's game as forwards Nathan Smith and Josh Green were both reassigned from the Vancouver Canucks yesterday and are expected to be in the lineup.

"We've seen some video of Grand Rapids and they look to be a dynamic team. They look a lot like Rochester to me -- a lot of speed and skill up front and a very good power play," Vigneault said. "This should be a good test for us -- a strong team and a morning start time."

Vigneault took a few minutes at the end of practice yesterday at Van Andel Arena to talk to his charges about today's unique set of challenges.

"The big thing is rest and the lunch and supper they eat (yesterday) will give them the energy they'll need for the game -- not their breakfast that morning," Vigneault said. "They're all big boys and professionals. Being prepared is part of the job."

 

Sniper 'ready to go' Schultz determined to shake off slump

Jesse Schultz believes that spending some time away from the rink might be the best medicine when it comes to bringing an end to his scoring slump.

Schultz, who leads the Manitoba Moose with 16 goals, has just one in his past 11 games and is hoping to get back on track tonight when the Toronto Marlies make their first visit to the MTS Centre.

"It was nice to get a break and see your friends and family but this is what we love to do," said Schultz. "You tend to think about (slumps) quite a bit when you go through it, even though you try not to and it wears on you a bit. It was nice to get away and not think about hockey for a little while. It's good to be refreshed, recharged and ready to go."

SOME TIME FOR REFLECTION

Schultz did take some time for reflection and knows what he needs to do to get back to the level he was at earlier in the season.

"I've got to move my feet a lot more," said Schultz, who has 24 points in 34 games. "You work to get to where things are going good and when things are going good, you kind of get away from (doing) those things. I can't do that. I've got to be more consistent, move my feet and work hard. It's not one big thing, it's a bunch of little things that will hopefully make the difference."