Moose overmatched by Marlies in 6-3 loss

Pre-Game Notes:

– Kyle Connor leads the team in goals, points per game, and shots per game – 19 goals, 34 points, and 110 shots in just 41 games
– Jack Roslovic leads the team in points with 37 in 53 games
– The Moose are winless in their past 5 games, (0-1-4)
– With Julian Melchiori up with the Jets for what looks to be an extended period, the Moose signed ECHL defenceman Tim Daly to a PTO this afternoon. He didn’t dress for the game

Scoring Summary

First Period

Marlies Goal (1): Kerby Rychel went by Jan Kostalek as if he were a pylon, faked to his left, then deked to his backhand and finished with one hand. 

Moose Goal (1): The Moose responded just 2:21 later – Brendan Lemieux deflected a Brendan Kichton point shot beautifully for his 12th of the year.

Marlies Goal (2): On the PP, Marlies d-man Steve Oleksy snuck in from the point, took a feed in the slot, and buried high blocker side.

Moose Goal (2): Kyle Connor entered the Marlies’ the zone with a gorgeous toe-drag, went wide down the right side and fed a backhander across the ice to J.C Lipon who came in backdoor and found a yawning cage.

Second Period

Marlies Goal (3): Brett Findlay took a feed in the slot and just squeeked a wrister through the wickets on Comrie to put the Marlies up by 1.

Marlies Goal (4): After the Marlies threw a puck towards the net, 5’9 Brendan Leipsic outbattled 6’2 Ryan Olsen in front of the net and swatted the rebound in. Olsen followed that up by shooting the puck after the play and was given a 10 minute misconduct.

Moose Goal (3): With only 46 seconds left in the second, J.C Lipon took a half-slap shot from the point which found its way in through traffic. 

Marlies Goal (5): Then, just 33 seconds later (14 seconds left), Colin Greening set up in the slot and directed a puck dangerously at the net; Comrie made the save, but the rebound was left sitting there for Marlies’ captain Andrew Campbell, who tapped in the rebound as he circled the net.

Third Period

Marlies Goal (6):  2013 1st round pick Frederick Gauthier got the puck at the side of the net, easily got away from Jan Kostalek, and banked the puck inoff Comrie’s left pad.

Lineup:

*starting

*Connor-Cormier-Lipon
Tanev-Roslovic-De Leo
Lemieux-DeSalvo-Kosmachuk
Howden-Olsen-Lodge

Czuczman-Kichton
*Stoykewych-Kostalek
Strait-Nogier

*Comrie
Phillips

Player Highlights:

Eric Comrie – the future Jets’ goaltender had a great start to the night – he was fantastic through the first 30 minutes, but in the end, he got eaten up by a vaunted offensive attack. He made a few saves that he had no business making – a huge right pad save on a Marlie coming through the crease with speed, and a huge glove save in the second period. Things came a bit unraveled midway through the second period – a puck snuck through him five-hole – and things got worse from there. A disappointing game for Comrie, who isn’t getting a lot of help from his defenders.

Kyle Connor – Connor had a quiet game by his standards, though he still notched two assists, including a primary assist on the first Lipon goal where he showed some dazzling skill in entering the zone. One area of his game that needs a lot of work is his play away from the puck. By that, I don’t mean his defensive play in particular (although that does need work), but his play in the offensive zone when he doesn’t have the puck. While he’s very aggressive and dangerous with the puck on his stick, he tends to be very passive when he doesn’t have it, waiting for other players to forecheck/pressure the puck. His hunger on the backcheck is a little better.

Jack Roslovic – yet another meh performance by Roslovic. While it may not be related, it seems that as Connor has emerged as the team’s dominant offensive player, Roslovic’s play has taken a slight step back. That isn’t to say that he isn’t a great prospect – he’s been playing in all situations in the American Hockey League as a teenager (he just recently turned 20), and he still leads the team in scoring. He just hasn’t been as good as he was in the first third/half of the season.

Brendan Lemieux – he showed off his hands in front of the net, tipping in the opening goal of  the game for the home side. If Lemieux does hope to play an offensive role at the next level, his coordination and net-front presence will be his calling cards. Unfortunately Lemieux got tangled up with former Ottawa Senator Colin Greening in the second period and twisted his knee; he did not return

Chase De Leo – a tough outing for De Leo. He was most noticeable for the things he didn’t do well – a few weak shots on net, and several poor passes that either didn’t connect or turned into giveaways. In my opinion, his play hasn’t been as good ever since he was shifted to the wing.

Nelson Nogier – he continues to jump up in the play in the offensive zone. This wouldn’t be such a big deal, except for the fact that Nogier showed absolutely no proclivity towards this style of play during his junior career. (Though perhaps playing under Brent Sutter in Red Deer was a factor). It’s good to see that a rookie defenceman has the confidence to try things out of his comfort zone; credit to the coaching staff for empowering him to take risks as well.

Audio

J.C Lipon reviews talks about his game, and talented linemate Kyle Connor

Coach Pascal Vincent discusses Kyle Connor, Eric Comrie, and the game as a whole

Next Game Action:

The Moose next outing comes against the Rockford Ice Hogs (Chicago’s AHL affiliate) on Friday night at the MTS Centre.