Manitoba Moose stay true to form taking second game of a series as they comeback to defeat the Admirals 6-4

The Moose have had a habit of dropping the first game of a series (2-7) but winning the re-match (7-2) so they were hoping that trend would continue after they lost the first game on Friday to the Admirals.

Lineup news:

Oddly still no assignment of Dominic Toninato to the Moose despite the fact the Jets are in-town. Manitoba could certainly use his veteran presence but he remains in the NHL after he cleared waivers on Friday.

Only chances today were: Oskari Salminen got the net, Henri Nikkanen came in for Nicholas Jones and Dmitry Kuzmin (who I had totally missed had been recalled) came in for Dean Stewart.

Moose lineup:

Malott – Lambert – Ford
Bongiovanni – Zhilkin – Chibrikov
Viel – Lucius – Reichel
Torgersson – Nikkanen – Suess

Capobianco – Kniazev
Sautner – Lundmark
Kuzmin – Bauer

Salminen
Delia

Notable:

Much better start for the Moose as Jeffrey Viel got the home team on the board 1:35 into the 1st period as he deflected this shot by Tyrel Bauer. Prospect Dmitry Kuzmin got his first AHL point with the secondary assist.

Oskari Salminen was dialed in throughout the opening frame as made some very solid stops for the home team including this one and this one.  Took them until the 14th shot of the period to beat him and that came on the power play.

And there go the Teddy Bears in support of Christmas Cheer board Winnipeg.

Manitoba started the middle frame on fire holding a 7-1 shot edge but late in the 2nd it was the Admirals who took a 2-1 lead with the Moose caught along the wall.

Veteran forward Jeffrey Viel had himself an excellent game as he made numerous nice plays including this one to try to get his team back into the game.

Despite controlling play things weren’t looking good for the home team as the visitors scored shorthanded to take a 3-1 lead but the Moose got back within one when Kyle Capobianco deposited this Brad Lambert rebound into the back of the net on a delayed penalty call.

Similar to the opening period the home team started the 3rd with some pep in their step which led to them tying the game courtesy of Kristian Reichel‘s third goal of the season. After going goalless for a long time he’s got three in his last three games. Good work by Jets prospect Chaz Lucius to protect the puck to set up the opportunity.

Probably the play of the game was this one as Jets prospect Nikita Chibrikov went for a skate before finding Tyrel Bauer who fed Brad Lambert who made no mistake making it a 4-3 game.

Jeff Malott doesn’t even hesitate as he drops the gloves after seeing Brad Lambert take a hit he doesn’t like.

Jets 2021 3rd rounder Dmitry Kuzmin picked up his second AHL point this game as he fired this shot on net. Jeffrey Viel causing more chaos in front (he’s had a heck of a game) and Parker Ford scored his fourth of the season to make it a 5-3 game for the Moose.

Moose head coach Mark Morrison trusting the kids to protect the lead. Nikita Chibrikov gets into the shot lane and blocks this one as Manitoba protects a one goal lead.

This was a deceptive pass by Brad Lambert to Parker Ford which would have sealed the deal in this one but no dice.

Appropriately given how he played it was Jeffrey Viel from long range shot to make it a 6-4 and salt this game away.

With the win the Moose improve to 11-11-0 on the season.

Multi-point game:

Jeffrey Viel 2G 2A
Brad Lambert 1G 1A
Dmitry Kuzmin 2A
Nikita Chibrikov 2A
Tyrel Bauer 2A

Player/Coach media availability:

Jeffrey Viel from start to 1:55
Dmitry Kuzmin from 1:56 to 3:46
Assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner from 3:47 to the end.

Highlights:

Up next:

The Moose are traveling tomorrow as they head out on the road for three games starting with a school day game in Chicago against the Wolves.