Despite a buzzing building, Moose fizzle in New Year’s Eve game, losing 5-2 to the Canucks

Interesting factoid from PA Announcer Dave Turnbull who indicated prior to the warm up skate here at Canada Life that the Moose were 13-4 in New Year’s Eve home games (clearly dating back to 1.0 version) coming into the game today and had won nine straight on December 31st.

Lineup news:

Oskari Salminen in net and Isaac Johnson draws in for Colin Bilek.

Moose lineup:

Malott – Toninato – Limoges
Polei – Maier – Jones
Torgersson – Nikkanen – Bongiovanni
Johnson – Meireles – Boland

Chisholm – Gawanke
Sautner – Stewart
Lundmark – Bauer

Salminen
Holm

Notable:

It was a very good crowd here in Winnipeg for the Moose New Year’s Eve game. It was projected over 6000 and could have been as high as 6500 for the game.

The IC Post-Game Show may turn into chatter about Jets 2020 6th rounder Tyrel Bauer who laid out a big hit in front of his net.

It is somewhat convenient that we spoke to Moose assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner this morning on the IC Hockey Show about the importance of Cole Maier and lookie who opened the scoring….bit of an unconventional pass to Evan Polei who gave it back to him.

The hard working Lunch Pail Line continues to contribute for the Moose. This goal is created because of the hustle of Nicholas Jones to hunt that puck behind the net. Evan Polei put home the Cole Maier one-handed pass and it’s 2-1 Manitoba.

Greg Meireles isn’t the biggest guy (5’11) but his bench sure liked this hit he laid out in the 2nd period.

Canucks were this close to taking a lead in the final minute of the 2nd period but the Moose clear that loose puck away from the wide open net.

Both teams were the beneficiary of a favourable bounce as the Moose came this close to taking an early 3rd period lead.

Winnipegger Jett Woo scored just past the midpoint of the final frame (eliciting a small cheer from his friends and family) on the goal which turned out to be the game-winner.

Moose just didn’t have anything in the tank as they registered just three shots total in the 3rd period and only one after the Canucks took the 3-2 lead. That shot came 33 seconds after the Woo goal and then they didn’t register a shot in the final 9:18 of the final frame (despite having a 6 on 5 advantage).

Abbotsford put two into the empty net to seal the deal and won it 5-2.

Player media availability:

Coach media availability:

Highlights:

To follow.

Up Next:

The Moose are all done for 2022. They will head out on the road for six games next week.