Two straight games needing extra time between the Moose and Admirals and both times it was Manitoba coming away with the victory which gives them a 2-1 series edge in their best of five with Milwaukee.
Lineup news:
Only change was Evan Polei coming out and Tyler Boland coming in.
Moose lineup:
Malott-Toninato-Harkins
Torgersson-Maier-Limoges
Jones-Meireles-Ford
Bongiovanni-Nikkanen-Boland
Chisholm – Gawanke
Sautner – Heinola
Oligny – Stewart
Salminen
Holm
Notable:
The game started well for the Moose as they scored first and scored on the power play which after going 0/9 to start the series was now 2/2 (including the OT GWG on Wednesday).
However two penalties put them down two men and they were able to kill off the first penalty of the 5 on 3 but as the second almost ended the Admirals tied the game.
They thereafter took the lead late in the 1st period courtesy of a delayed penalty, own goal by the Moose.
A lack of discipline continued to hurt the Moose as they began the second period with an early penalty and the Admirals made them pay (as they’ve done quite a bit this series) to increase their lead to 3-1.
Netminder Oskari Salminen was making some big stops for his club including this one when they were down two which could have proven valuable had his club been able to generate a comeback but the Admirals scored shortly thereafter to make it 4-1.
A lack of discipline continued to be a theme in the middle frame.
If the Moose were gonna have any hope of getting back into this game down by three they needed an early 3rd period goal….and that’s just what they got courtesy of a Jansen Harkins goal on the power play to cut the deficit to two.
Just two minutes later Wyatt Bongiovanni (who else) put home this puck as he continues to do very well against the Admirals (6 goals in 14 games) and which brought Manitoba within one with 15:19 left in the 3rd.
Milwaukee coach Karl Taylor smartly used his timeout which took away the momentum that Manitoba had built.
Down by one with 4:28 left and captain Jimmy Oligny was headed to the penalty box. Couldn’t see what the penalty call was but it was after the whistle. Given the Admirals have taken back the momentum the Moose had built up scoring twice early, that’s in opportune and more of that lack of discipline.
The Moose played that goalie pull poorly and they were anything but crisp. They were slow and showed no urgency. The Admirals scored into the empty net to seal the deal and force a game 5.
Tomorrow will be the 30th time the Moose and Admirals have met over the last two seasons:
2021-22: 12 regular season, 5 playoffs
2022-23: 8 regular season, 5 playoffs
Seems appropriate that it will need a second straight game 5 winner takes all to advance.
Player media availability:
Coach’s media availability:
Highlights:
Up next:
The Moose and Admirals will play for all the marbles tomorrow night in Milwaukee. Puck drop is at 6 PM CDT.
