Illegal Curve Hockey

Moose defeat division leading Stars for second straight game in OT

Photo Credit: Jonathan Kozub (Manitoba Moose)

The Moose took the first game of this two-game series with the division leading Stars on Saturday as the game required overtime after the home side had built themselves a two goal lead.

Lineup news:

Only change from the forward group came with Isaac Johnson coming out and Brayden Burke coming in. They also swapped netminders giving Oskari Salminen the start.

The day-to-day crew of Jansen Harkins, Cole Maier and Evan Polei remain out although sounds like they all could be back next week against the Marlies.

Moose lineup:

Limoges – Toninato – Boland
Malott – Bongiovanni – Reichel
Jones – Nikkanen – Torgersson
Nadri – Meireles – Burke

Chisholm – Gawanke
Sautner – Stewart
Lundmark – Bauer

Salminen
Holm

Notable:

First 3000 fans received one of these Jimmy Oligny bobbleheads ahead of the Moose and Stars game this afternoon. It was another good crowd with over 5000 in attendance.

When you’re hot, you’re hot. The Toninato, Limoges and Boland line is hot. And that trio opened the scoring courtesy of Dominic Toninato’s seventh goal of the season.

Pair of Jets prospects got the Moose a second goal 21 seconds after the first. Daniel Torgersson (2020 2nd) buried the rebound (his second straight game with a goal). That’s his fifth goal of the season. Assist from Henri Nikkanen (2019 4th) who used that big body in front.

Leon Gawanke let it rip from the point and the home side had a 3-0 lead not even at midpoint of the 1st period. His ninth goal of the season chases veteran netminder Anton Khudobin from the Stars net.

Just a week away from the 60th birthday of Winnipeg icon Dancing Gabe Langlois at the Moose game next Sunday.

Your goalie has to be your best penalty killer and Oskari Salminen was just that as this stop kept the Moose ahead by one.

However, like yesterday the Moose would blow a lead as the Stars tied the game on the power play in the 3rd period.

Dominic Toninato with the OT winner. His second of the game gave the Moose a 4-3 win over the Stars as they sweep the weekend series with the top team in the division.

Manitoba improves to 21-13-2-1.

Scouting Presence:

The Bruins and Blue Jackets with a heavy presence at the game. Each of these eastern organizations had a pair of representatives here in Winnipeg including Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen. Of course they could have been here to watch Moose or Stars but worth noting nonetheless.

Player media availability:

Coach media availability:

Highlights:

Up Next:

The Moose will have some time to rest and practice this weekend as they get set to face another division leading team when the Toronto Marlies get to town. First game is Friday night.

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.