The energy to start tonight’s game was different than the last few contests that we have witnessed at the MTS Centre from the Moose. Perhaps it was the Moose celebrating the 5 millionth fan to support AHL hockey in Winnipeg since the team first arrived back in 1996.
Regardless of the reasons the home side came out flying and peppered IceHogs goalie Jeff Glass, who was making a back-to-back start after making 37 saves in a win over Manitoba last night, to start the game. However, the Moose just couldn’t seem to solve him despite holding a 9-2 shot advantage at one point. Finally, Ryan Olsen used his size and speed to force a turnover. Well the turnover actually happened after his hit but he was the recipient of the errant pass and did manage to deposit the puck for the opening goal of the game.
Ryan Olsen using his size and strength. Bad giveaway by Rockford’s Ville Pokka but Moose won’t complain. 1-0 Manitoba. pic.twitter.com/iymMkeIOtq
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) March 19, 2017
After 20 minutes the Moose held a 1-0 lead and were continuing to hold the edge in shots by a total of 12-4 after the 1st period.
Just four minutes into the middle frame Dan DeSalvo scored his 15th goal of the season and helped break himself out of a mini slump of eight games to put Manitoba up by two. DeSalvo hasn’t lacked for chances in the past half dozen games and his finally breaking out of the slump had me wondering what he sacrificed during the intermission to break the voodoo curse.
Roslovic gets it to Kostalek and DeSalvo hard on the stick redirects it home to give Moose a 2-0 lead. His 15th goal of year. #AHL pic.twitter.com/sjv2JHD1US
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) March 19, 2017
About eight minutes later newest member of the Moose Jake Kulevich fed Jack Roslovic a puck and he somehow found a spot up and over the arm of Glass to give Manitoba a 3-0 lead on his 12th goal of the season.
Jack Roslovic gets his 12th goal of the year to give Moose a 3-0 lead. Also newest Moose signee Jake Kulevich gets his first pro point. pic.twitter.com/jmST0xzw7I
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) March 19, 2017
While it seemed like the Moose would be up 3-0 after 40 minutes the team played a tad too casual in the dying (literally) seconds of the period and Rockford took advantage of his breakdown in coverage.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Kozub
With 0.5 to go in the period the IceHogs broke Eric Comrie’s shutout bid.
Just one minute into the last period Kyle Connor got his 20th goal of the season to restore the three goal lead for the home side.
Kyle Connor was feeling left out. 20th goal in 44th AHL game gives Moose a 4-1 lead. Roslovic gets third point of night. pic.twitter.com/QGkId4wW7X
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) March 19, 2017
And soon thereafter he added another (his 21st in 44 games) to really put this one out of reach for the Moose.
And moments later Kyle Connor (on a 5 on 3) gets his second of the night (21st of season) to give Moose a 5-1 lead. #AHL pic.twitter.com/PxLHMKQTns
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) March 19, 2017
Rockford managed two late goals to make the score seem closer than it was but in the end the home side finally gets the W and will now have a week to prepare for the Milwaukee Admirals who close out this home stand on Thursday and Friday.
It wasn’t all good news for Manitoba as post-game coach Vincent gave us an initial update on Quinton Howden who left the game in the 3rd period: “Doesn’t look good right now. I didn’t hear from doctors yet but first assessment might be long”. We also learned that defenceman Brendan Kichton was a healthy scratch.
Post-game audio:
Kyle Connor
Jake Kulevich
Coach Vincent
