MILWAUKEE -- When the Vancouver Canucks sent netminder Maxime Ouellet down to the farm, the first thought was he would get in some much needed game action.

Well, it doesn't look like that's going to happen anytime soon.

Not today against the Milwaukee Admirals (7 p.m. at the Bradley Center). Probably not against the Grand Rapids Griffins tomorrow, either.

With huge games against two of the top three teams in the Western Conference this week, the Moose have decided to delay Ouellet's scheduled starts for the AHL club, choosing to stick with veteran Wade Flaherty.

"Flats has been our guy, and these are big games for us," said Moose coach Alain Vigneault when asked what his plans are for Ouellet this weekend. "In my mind, I've already told Max that when we play against Wilkes-Barre next week, he's going to get both those games."

That news comes as a bit of surprise, considering there is a history of the Canucks calling the shots with regard to the Moose net this season.

Twice Ouellet has been sent down and thrown right into the Manitoba crease, only to head back to Vancouver and sit on the bench the next day.

This time, however, there is good reason Vigneault is sticking with his No. 1 netminder. Following tomorrow's game, the Moose will have just two games (against the Penguins at the MTS Centre) in the next 10 days.

That means Flaherty will get a chance to take his all-star break then.

"Because Flats went to the all-star game, I'm going to let him go home (to B.C.) for a couple days," the coach said. "I knew Max was coming down. It just worked out. The only game I'm not sure who I'm going to put in goal is (tomorrow night) in Grand Rapids."

Vigneault also revealed veteran forwards Mike Keane and Craig Darby will also be given some time off next week.

NUMBERS GAME: Even if he does get the start tomorrow, Ouellet probably can't wait until next weekend.

The former first round draft choice of Philadelphia (1999) has made just 10 appearances this season, with three different teams.

After letting in five goals on 19 shots in just over two periods of work in a start with the Hershey Bears, the 24-year-old found himself in Vancouver, backing up Alex Auld after start Dan Cloutier got hurt.

Success was limited, as was the ice time with the Canucks. Ouellet has played just 222 minutes in four winless appearances with Vancouver.

Where he has had the most success is in Manitoba. As a Moose, Ouellet has a 4-1 record in five starts, with a 2.59 GAA.