September 25, 2007

Moore Getting Plenty of Positive Feedback

The following article features former Harvard forward Dominic Moore. It appears on the Minneapolis Star-Tribune Web site and can be accessed by clicking here.

By Michael Russo
The Minneapolis Star Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS -- After being pushed aside late last season, Wild center Dominic Moore could be earning a significant role this season.

Coach Jacques Lemaire has been delighted with Moore's training camp, in particular his inspired play during Monday's 2-1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres.

"He's doing something," said Lemaire, who scratched Moore in all five playoff games and seven of the final 11 regular-season games last year. "His vision is good, he gets the puck, he makes some plays. When it's time to drive at the net, he drove. When it's time to support the guys, he did. Defensive zone, he wasn't responsible for any chances against. It was an all-around game.

"[Last year], we didn't see passes, we didn't see as great of a defensive player, we didn't see the skating that he's showing now, we didn't see the confidence that he has now."

Lemaire admitted that confidence goes two ways and possibly one reason Moore didn't show it after his February trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins is because he received little feedback from the coaching staff.

"I like what I see now. It's different," Lemaire said. "If he keeps going like this, he's going to play."

Said Moore: "When you get some positive reinforcement, you know you're on the right track."

Moore could wind up between Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik. Not only does he have the speed to keep up, Moore finished 22nd in faceoff winning percentage last season (.526). Possession means Demitra and Gaborik can do what they do best -- generate scoring chances.

"You start the shift without the puck, it could be the difference between playing in your end or their end," Moore said.