Manitoba Moose clinch playoffs after fastest goal in franchise history

The Moose were looking to put a disappointing two-game set against the Griffins, that kicked off this six-game homestand, behind them as they welcomed the Admirals to town for a clash that has major playoff seeding implications. Both teams had seven games remaining (including tonight’s contest) with Manitoba holding a three point lead over Milwaukee for the 4th spot in the Central. The team that finishes in 4th will host the 5th place team in a three-game play-in series. So it’s important to ensure you have home ice advantage for that short set.

Lineup news:

Shaw-Ford-Duehr
Di Giuseppe-Yager-Chibrikov
JAD-Zhilkin-Fagemo
Yoder-Julien-Barlow

Phillips-Clague
Sautner-Freij
Anhorn-L.Gustafsson

Milic

Moose lineup:

Tyrel Bauer is out for the game. He’s considered day-to-day. Jets prospect Alfons Freij back after missing six games (illness).

Notable:

Isaak Phillips played in his 100th game in Antlers.

Jaret Anderson-Dolan said something to Dylan Anhorn just before the opening faceoff. I suspect it was “get me the puck after I win the faceoff”. He got his 13th just 8 seconds in which we later found out was the fastest goal in Manitoba Moose history.

Also Lukas Gustafsson got the secondary assist which is his first point as a pro in just his second ever game.

Just 1:01 after their first goal they got another which led me to think to myself “Who are these masked Moose scoring all these goals?”. This time it was Isaak Phillips getting his 10th of the season which tied his career high in goals and set a new career high in points with 26.

It was all Moose as Jets prospect Nikita Chibrikov was that close to making it a 3-0 game on the power play but he rings it off the iron.

The Alberta duo of Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Dylan Anhorn almost connect on this shorthanded 2 on 1. Great save by Matthew Murray.

Moose had a number of chances to make it 3-0. Finally Ashton Sautner says “I got this”. His third of the season gave the Moose a commanding lead. Matches his career high in points. Nice pass by Chase Yoder who has really fit in with the group. Isaak Phillips multi point game.

Early in the 2nd the home team struck again as Kale Clague made it 4-0 with his ninth goal of the season. Assists to Samuel Fagemo and JAD. Honourable mention to Dylan Anhorn who got the play started from Manitoba end.

Another good shorthanded chance for the Moose.

Believe they call that the Gordie Howe Hat trick as Jaret Anderson-Dolan has been very engaged in this one.

Thomas Milic has been excellent in this game so far. He came up big for the Moose as they had to kill a penalty right after they gave up their first goal of the game. Through 40 he’s made 25 saves on 26 shots and Manitoba leads 4-1.

But the visitors would not go away scoring just under seven minutes into the final frame and then adding another goal about five minutes later to make it a 4-3 hockey game.

The home team would need Thomas Milic to stand tall as he made a huge save with 25 seconds left and then another with 17 seconds to go.

The Manitoba Moose are heading to the Calder Cup playoffs as they clinch a spot in the post-season with a 4-3 win. The victory also means Milwaukee now sits five points back of Manitoba and Texas lost which means that the Moose are four points back of the Stars (with a game in hand).

Multi-point game:

Jaret Anderson-Dolan 1G 1A

Highlights:

Players & Coach post-game media:

Post-game media:
Jaret Anderson-Dolan from start to 4:19
Isaak Phillips from 4:20 to 6:12
Coach Mark Morrison from 6:13 to the end.

Up next:

The team is back in business with a re-match tomorrow night against the Admirals.