Manitoba Moose stumble out of the post-Christmas break falling 6-2 to the Texas Stars

While Texas comes into the game having played two more games than Manitoba they have a 16 point advantage in the standings. The Moose came into the game dead last in the Central although that’s where they were last season before they turned it all around in January.

Lineup news:

With the recall of Dylan Coghlan up to the Jets the Moose were without the veteran defenceman after getting him for a pair of games prior to the Christmas break. They also don’t have Jets prospect Elias Salomonsson back yet. He was supposed to be ready to go right after Christmas so we’ll get an update post-game from coach.

Lines & D pairs:

Lucius – JAD – Ford
Toninato– Lambert – King
Shaw -Zhilkin – Chibrikov
Wagner -Suess – AJF

Sautner – Lundmark
Anhorn – Barteaux
Kuzmin – Bauer

Kahkonen

Notable:

The Moose got out of the gate well including this rush by offensively inclined defenceman Dmitry Kuzmin who used his legs to create the first good chance of the game for the home team.

There was a video tribute for Kyle Capobianco in his first game in Winnipeg after signing with the Stars organization over the summer. He spent two years in Jets organization playing 14 games for Winnipeg in 2022-23 & 69 for Manitoba in 2023-24. Was named AHL Outstanding Dman last season.

After holding a 4-1 shot edge eight minutes into the opening period it was all Stars for the last ten minutes of the 1st as they outshot the Moose 9-0 and scored the only goal of the period.

With Manitoba down 2-0 Tyrel Bauer laid a big hit and then had a big tilt as a couple of big (6’4) boys drops the gloves in number 2 and Alex Petrovic.

But self inflicted wounds continue to hamper the Moose as the Stars made it a 3-0 game off a turnover along the wall and then Kaapo Kahkonen was beat by a puck he likely should have had to make it a three goal deficit.

With the Moose needing something they did get one back as Mason Shaw got them on the board. It was his fifth which required him to avoid the ref during the rush. And they almost made it a one goal game when Jets prospect Fabian Wagner rang this puck off the post one minute later.

But the 3rd wasn’t friendly to the home team as they gave up three more goals while only scoring once which made it a 6-2 final.

Moose fall to 7-18-0-1 on the season.

Multi-point game:

None

Highlights:

Post-game interviews:

Health news:

I asked head coach Mark Morrison about Elias Salomonsson and he indicated that he’s expected to join the group at practice next week but right now he’s IR skating.

Up next:

The Moose have a re-match against the Stars on New Year’s Eve at 4 pm.