Manitoba Moose defeat Iowa 7-4 to inch closer to playoff spot and eliminate Wild from playoff contention

The Friday night scoreboard watching was very much in the facvour of the AHL club of Manitoba as the team ahead of them (Stars) lost in regulation while the team chasing them (Wolves) blew a 3-0 lead and lost in a shootout. Which meant if Manitoba won their game against Iowa that would eliminate the Wild from playoff contention and if the Wolves weren’t able to win this evening, that would eliminate Chicago and clinch a playoff spot for the Moose.

Lineup news:

A few changes from the last game although consistent with how things have looked this week at practice. No Tyrel Bauer who was injured in practice this week when he took a shot to the back of the neck. Carson Golder back in the lineup for Daniel Torgersson. And Ashton Sautner draws in for Dmitry Kuzmin while Dean Stewart comes in for the injured Bauer.

Warm-up news:

While Colby Barlow didn’t play tonight he was out on the ice for warm-up as he got a taste of pro in the AHL. Recently signed Dylan Anhorn was also taking part after he concluded his collegiate career at St. Cloud State and now embarks on a pro career.

Moose lineup:

Malott – Lambert – AJF
Suess – Toninato – Chibrikov
Viel – Reichel – Ford
Golder – Nikkanen – Liwiski

Capobianco – Barteaux
Heinola –Lundmark
Sautner – Stewart

Milic

Notable:

Good crowd on hand this afternoon in downtown Winnipeg for the Moose game. Would guess it’s between 5-6 thousand Manitobans which is solid given Jets played in Colorado an hour after puck drop at Canada Life.

Moose goalie Thomas Milic was tested early in this one as D leave front of the net exposed.

No surprise that the Identity Line for the Moose get this one started. Jeffrey Viel got his 16th of the campaign off a nice pass by Parker Ford and Manitoba had a 1-0 lead.

Seeing a lot more of this type of battle along the boards from Parker Ford as he continues to really develop alongside Reichel and Viel in his first full season as a pro.

Best defence on a PK is a good offence apparently as Dominic Toninato comes out of the penalty box, takes an air mailed Kyle Capobianco clear and scores a shorthanded goal to make it 2-0 for the Moose.

Jets prospect Brad Lambert sees an opportunity to use his speed and takes advantage of it.

Good sign for the Moose is that Brad Lambert was on the bench to start the 2nd period after this hit left him a bit limp at the end of the 1st.

Moose continued to roll in the 2nd which began with 4th line goal as Mark Liwiski gets his first AHL goal and they were celebrating all the way back in Dauphin, Manitoba as he made it 3-0 for the home team.

Give Kristian Reichel 19 goals as he puts home this Kyle Capobianco pass to make it 4-0 for the Moose. What an afternoon for Capobianco as the Moose defenceman now has 50 points on the season (11G 39A) thanks to three assists on four goals for Manitoba. He leads the entire AHL for scoring among Dmen.

Iowa was irate but looks like offside was the right call. Thomas Milic thought about coming out to play it and then decided to scamper back to his net and then takes a spill. Lucky for him no goal.

Kristan Reichel having a game with his as he gets to 20 goals for the first time in his career. He got his second of the game to make it 5-0 for the Moose.

The shutout bid of Thomas Milic was broken by a guy who scored a goal or two in Winnipeg. Former Ice forward Michael Milne gets Iowa on the board with this power play goal. Moose lead  was cut to 5-1.

Delayed penalty breakaway against the Moose but Thomas Milic flashes the leather to stop that chance.

Ill advised shorthanded pass by Ville Heinola who tried to get back but is unable to do so and the Wild strike on the power play. Moose lead cut to 5-2.

With Iowa heading to the power play with 6:17 left in the 3rd period and down 5-2 they pulled the goalie. Wild needed to win or they are eliminated from a chance at making the playoffs.

Jeffrey Viel got his second of the game to make it 6-2 for the Moose as he found the empty net from long range. That’s his 17th goal of the season.

Bit sloppy by the Moose as they gave up a goal with under two minutes left to see their lead cut to 6-4.

But then Kristian Reichel picks up his first career hat trick to seal the deal.

With the win the Moose eliminate the Wild from playoff contention and they will wait to see what happens with the Wolves.

Multi-point game:

Kristian Reichel 3G 1A
Jeffrey Viel 2G 1A
Kyle Capobianco 3A
Dawson Barteaux 2A

Highlights:

PPost-game interviews:

Up next:

The Moose conclude the home portion of the regular season with an afternoon re-match