Moose rally but fall 3-2 in OT to the Canucks; still move into 2nd in Central

After picking up a win last night in Abbotsford over the Canucks the Moose were looking for the two-game series sweep which could prove large as they came into the game trailing the Milwaukee Admirals by a single point and the Texas Stars by two points.

Lineup news:

The Moose were still without Kristian Reichel (day-to-day), Dominic Toninato (he & wife had a baby) and now Cole Maier (who is banged up according to play-by-play voice Daniel Fink). Accordingly the Moose went 11/7 in the game inserting defenceman Dean Stewart as the extra Dman.

Moose lineup:

Malott – Harkins – Limoges
Torgersson – Nikkanen – Johnson
Polei – Meireles – Jones
Bongiovanni – Andrusiak

Chisholm – Gawanke
Oligny – Heinola
Sautner – Lundmark
Stewart

Salminen
Holm

Notable:

After falling behind the Moose used their 3rd ranked power play to tie the game with Leon Gawanke blasting home his 14th goal of the season. How many teams run a three headed monster of Dmen on their power play? Gawanke, Heinola and Chisholm all excel with this.

With the assist Jansen Harkins had on the first Moose goal, he moved into a tie with Jets/Moose Player Development Coordinator (and 3 time Stanley Cup champ and Winnipegger) Mike Keane on the all-time points list with 114. It also set a new career high for him in points with 32.

The Moose have been very adept at finding very good college players and Wyatt Bongiovanni has become one of those guys for this hockey team. His 12th goal of the season would tie the game at two.

This play by Jansen Harkins as he builds up steam and then adds some nice deception but Daniel Torgersson just cannot find the back of the net. Shows what a difference maker he can be at the AHL level.

Goalie Oskari Salminen had himself a solid effort named 3rd start of the game.

The Canucks got the OT power play goal to defeat the Moose 3-2. Manitoba earned three of four points to start their seven-game road trip. They are now 31-17-4-3 which moves them into a tie for 2nd in the Central with the Admirals (one back of 1st place Stars).

Player media availability:

To follow.

Highlights:

Up Next:

The Moose will stay the night in Abbotsford and Thursday will be a travel day as they fly to Iowa where they prepare to take on their division rival for two games which get underway on Saturday.