Moose end six-game homestand with 3-2 win over the Marlies on Dancing Gabe’s 60th birthday

After losing a close one on Friday the Moose were back in action this afternoon in Winnipeg to close out their six-game homestand and to celebrate the 60th birthday of legendary Manitoban Dancing Gabe.

Lineup news:

After getting Jansen Harkins back for the last game on Friday, today the Moose got alternate captain Cole Maier back after he missed the last six games (technically it’s seven but the game in Toronto was postponed). Evan Polei remained out of the lineup.

Worth noting Moose captain Jimmy Oligny took warm-up skate although he didn’t dress as he slowly gets back to game strength. He has missed the entire season to date.

Moose lineup:

Malott – Toninato – Limoges
Harkins – Maier – Reichel
Jones – Nikkanen – Torgersson
Bongiovanni – Meireles – Boland

Chisholm – Gawanke
Sautner – Stewart
Heinola – Lundmark

Salminen
Holm

Notable:

The theme throughout the game understandably was the 60th birthday celebration of ‘Dancing Gabe’ Langlois.

Moose took a couple of 1st period penalties but despite the fact that the Marlies have the top power play in the entire AHL they were able to kill off these two (plus all other penalties) they took.

Fresh off injury Cole Maier reaped the benefits of practicing for the last few weeks with skills coach Dave Cameron as he scored this nifty goal to open the scoring.

One thing about Ville Heinola is he has terrific vision even if his forwards don’t always have the same level of Finnish (get it?).

Very even opening period of hockey between the Moose and Marlies. Shots were 9-9.

During the intermission the wishes to Gabe continued including from Drew and I on behalf of Illegal Curve.

If you want to send something to Dancing Gabe you can here.

During the 2nd period Moose assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner received a nice Winnipeg ovation as he heads into the AHL Hall of Fame.

Not always known for their physicality both Ville Heinola (see here) and Declan Chisholm (see here) stepped up in that department.

I didn’t know that Dancing Gabe wore 91 because that was the year when he got his first jersey with a name bar from the Jets 1.0. More on the history of him here.

Dancing Gabe had Happy Birthday sung to him by 1000s of Manitobans.

Not sure Jets head coach Rick Bowness gets as many cameras to his pressers as Dancing Gabe just got as spoke for awhile about what this day means to him. No better guy to celebrate. He’s so genuine. Came off the podium, gives me a high five and says “hi Dave.”

Moose took advantage of the man advantage with Leon Gawanke firing home this shot to give Manitoba a 2-1 lead. Assists went to the top assist men on the team in Alex Limoges (27) & Declan Chisholm (26).

Sometimes you just need you goalie to make a big stop and that’s just what Oskari Salminen did to preserve the one-goal edge for his team.

As the 3rd period wound down I realized that Moose head coach Mark Morrison was not on the bench. Turns out he took a stick to the head and needed some attention although we were told post-game that he was fine.

Dominic Toninato gave the Moose what appeared to simply be an insurance goal that they would end up needing with 42 seconds left in the 3rd with the assist to Jeff Malott.

Despite the Marlies scoring with 15.4 seconds left in the game, the Moose ended the six-game homestand with a 3-2 win over the Marlies as they help make Dancing Gabe’s 60th bday a memorable one.

In the two games against the top power play team in the AHL they held them without a goal in eight attempts.

Manitoba improved to 22-14-2-1 on the season.

Player media availability:

Coach media availability:

Highlights:

Up Next:

The Moose head out on the road early tomorrow morning as they prepare to face the Icehogs in Rockford on Tuesday.