Moose comeback falls short as Wranglers take first ever meeting 3-2

The Moose have lost their top two points producers with both Jansen Harkins and Mikey Eyssimont recalled to the Jets. Since they began this six-game homestand they’ve split each series they’ve played. Tonight marks the first ever match against the Wranglers, who are the Flames affiliate previously known as the Stockton Heat.

Lineup news:

Not a lot of movement otherwise for the Moose from the lineup that won last Sunday. Brad Lambert returns after dealing with an illness and he took Kristian Reichel’s spot with Jeff Malott and Kevin Stenlund. Reichel played with Limoges and Lucius (taking Mikey Eyssimont’s spot after he was recalled).

On the backend the mixed up pairs continue except Tyrel Bauer was out and Dean Stewart drew back in.

Moose lineup:

Malott-Stenlund-Lambert
Limoges-Lucius-Reichel
Polei-Maier-Jones
Bongiovanni-Nikkanen-Torgersson

Heinola Gawanke
Chisholm Lundmark
Sautner Stewart

Salminen
Holm

Notable:

Special teams pitted the 3rd best power play (Calgary) in the AHL against the 5th best penalty kill (Manitoba) and for the visitors it proved to be important as they scored twice in the opening 40 minutes to take a 2-0 lead into the 3rd.

The Moose did have an opportunity to tie it when they were down by one but Kevin Stenlund rang one off the post after a nice outlet pass by Ville Heinola.

I know it was a soccer themed game and I know that Valour Football were in the house but I think Jets prospect Simon Lundmark forgot he’s playing hockey for a second.

The hockey maven aka Richard Lapp brings a wealth of Manitoba/junior hockey knowledge to the press box and sometimes he brings gems including this 2002-03 poster of Dustin Byfuglien as a Brandon Wheat King.

With the home side down 3-0 they started to fight back in the final frame started by Jeff Malott being in the right place at the right time.

Just 25 seconds later Evan Polei make the game a little more interesting as he brought the home team within one goal courtesy of his second goal of the season.

But that was as close as they came with Calgary taking it 3-2 and dropping Manitoba to 6-3-1-0 on the season which is good enough for 2nd place in the Central.

Player media availability:

Coach media availability:

Highlights:

Up Next:

The Moose are gonna look to do what they’ve done in every series of this homestand which is lose game one but pick up a win in game two when these two teams meet at 12 noon on Sunday.