The Moose kicked off their road trip in Texas last night with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Stars, extending their winning streak to four games. Through 15 games, Manitoba sits among the league leaders in the AHL, an impressive accomplishment when you consider how many players they’ve been missing from the lineup.
Despite those absences, this team just keeps finding ways to win. Heading into tonight’s rematch with Texas, we’ll have to wait and see whether Walker Duehr (illness), Noah Gregor (banged up at practice last Wednesday) or Ashton Sautner (injured, hasn’t played since October 23rd) will be available.
Adding to the injury concerns, Jets prospect Colby Barlow was hurt in the second period last night after being drilled into the boards. He did not return to the game, and there was no update on his status following the contest.
Lineup news:
I learned today that Barlow was day-to-day which is good news but he wasn’t gonna be a player in the game this evening. As a result Michael Milne came in. Henry Thrun back from being with Jets which resulted in prospect Garrett Brown coming out.
Moose lineup:
Chibrikov – Zhilkin – Ford
Wagner – Lambert – He
Empey – Julien – Milne
Burnside – Yoder – Wahlin
Phillips – Freij
Nause – Barteaux
Thrun – Matier
Milic
Notable:
As you can tell from the headline the theme of this game was special teams. In the first period alone the Moose were the beneficiaries of four power play opportunities including a double minor but couldn’t take advantage of any of them.
The Moose had their fair share of iron in Texas as Nikita Chibrikov rang it off the post for the second time in this game as he tries to break the deadlock.
Sometimes you don’t ask how. That’s just how things are going for Danny Zhilkin right now. I’m not even sure he touches the puck (in fact I’m 99% sure he didn’t), but he opens the scoring in Texas with his 8th of the season.
Just to illustrate how big a jump he’s taken this season in terms of production, Zhilkin now has: 8G 10A for 18 points in 16 games (leading the team) which projects to a 36G 45A for 81 points in a full season. Last season he had 12G 12A for 24 points in 62 games (all career highs).
As well Zhilkin now sits tied for 2nd in the entire AHL for points. Not something we are used to seeing with a player on the Moose. Last time was Mason Appleton during the 2017-18 season.
Moose went 0/7 on the power play in this game, which is a contributing factor to why they trail in this game. As can be seen here they don’t take away the eyes of the goalie which makes the save routine. Just 2 for last 43 with the man advantage.
The Moose continued to push hard in the 3rd for the equalizer. Brad Lambert comes close but rings this shot off the crossbar.
Moose battled until the end including this chance but Parker Ford gets his stick lifted as he attempts to put the equalizer home. Stars hold on for a 2-1 win and end a four game Manitoba win streak to earn a split in this two-game set.
The visitors drop to 11-5-0-0 on the season.
Multi-point game:
None
Highlights:
Players & Coach post-game media:
To follow
Up next:
The team will be travelling tomorrow as they leave Texas and head to Rosemont, Illinois. They are set to take on the IceHogs as their tour through the Central will continue on Friday night.
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