Moose earn a point in 5-4 OT loss to Canucks but playoff chances are getting more and more distant

The Moose were this close to tying the game but seconds later the Canucks scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in a wild first period on Friday night that saw both teams combine for four goals in 2:23 and which ultimately ended with Abbotsford taking it 4-2 over Manitoba. When you combine that regulation loss with the Rockford win it means the Moose are now 11 points back with 12 games remaining (two of which are against the Icehogs who they are chasing for the 5th and final playoff spot).

Which made tonight’s re-match with the Canucks a must-win game for the Moose.

Lineup news:

No changes to Manitoba lineup except Domenic DiVincentiis in net and Winnipegger Chris Driedger isn’t backing up. Instead the team announced they have signed another Winnipegger (Dylan Myskiw) to a PTO.

Lines & D pairs:

Shaw– Toninato –Suess
Wagner – JAD – Zhilkin
AJF – King – Lambert
Empey – Conley–Vitelli

Sautner– Salomonsson
Phillips – Coghlan
Lundmark – Bauer

DiVincentiis

Notable:

After giving up the first goal of the game early in the 1st period the Moose needed to strike back quickly and they did just 1:31 later as Ben King tied the game with what appeared to be this bunt. The refs reviewed it for some time before declaring it a good goal. Jets prospect Brad Lambert (2022 1st) got his team leading 27th assist of the season and with an assist Axel Jonsson-Fjallby now has 4G 4A for eight points in his last eight games.

Jets prospect Elias Salomonsson (2022 2nd) scored his fifth goal of the season as he wrists this one home on the power play. He’s up to 22 points in 42 games in his first AHL season. Great screen by CJ Suess who gets the secondary assist and Ben King with the primary.

A little bit of chaos in front of the Manitoba net results in Abbotsford tying the game up with 1:05 left in the 1st.

Little contact after the whistle from Tyrel Bauer on Aatu Raty and initially the Canucks forward thought of responding in kind but I suspect he quickly assessed which Moose player it was and chose wisely.

Nice coverage by Jets prospect Fabian Wagner (2022 6th)to provide some backup for his defenceman to kill this Canucks play.

As poor a start to a period as the Moose could have asked for as first Brad Lambert tried to do too much resulting in a giveaway and goal against just 47 seconds into the 3rd which was followed by a another goal against just 43 seconds later to give the visitors a two goal lead.

However, the home team managed a pair of quick strike goals of their own moments later to tie up the game. First it was defenceman Simon Lundmark who led the rush and then finished off a give and go play to make it a one goal deficit. And then Mason Shaw just 32 seconds later on the power play nicely deflected a Dylan Coghlan pass into the back of the net to tie the game 4-4.

Sneaky little pick play by Jets goalie prospect Domenic DiVincentiis who runs a little interference behind his net. He also was called upon to make some big saves to keep the game tied.

In OT Elias Salomonsson got walked and the Canucks picked up the 5-4 OT win. While the Moose earned themselves a single point and while it’s better than zero it is not good enough considering the mountain they have to climb.

And bad news for Manitoba is that Rockford won which means they are now 12 points back with 11 games left in the season.

Multi-point game:

Ben King 1G 1A

Highlights:

Player Post-Game:

Coach Post-Game:

Up next:

The Moose are off tomorrow and will hit the road on Monday as they head back to the midwest where they will start three games on the road beginning with Milwaukee on Tuesday.