After losing yesterday’s match-up in overtime, the Moose returned to the ice in a rematch against the Chicago Wolves. Connor Hellebuyck, fresh off his 26-game stint with the Winnipeg Jets, started in goal for the Moose – his first start since November 20th.
First Period
Early in the first, after Chase De Leo entered the zone smartly, Josh Morrissey shot shot the puck just wide of the net; Matt Fraser searched for the rebound, and the puck appeared to slide past Jordan Binnington. Initially the goal was called off, but after review, it was clear that the puck had crossed the goal line before Binnington pulled the puck out of the net. 1-0 Moose. (Morrissey was given credit for the goal).
Just minutes later, Scooter Vaughan walked in from the point and took a wrister from the right faceoff dot, which beat Hellebuyck low blocker. 1-1.
On the powerplay, Josh Morrissey took a smart, low shot from the point; Patrice Cormier and Matt Halischuk both chipped away at the rebound, with Halischuk banging it home to put the Moose up 2-1.
Second Period
While there were no goals scored in the second, the play was decidedly with Chicago, as they outshot the Moose 18-6.
Third Period
Jiri Fronk came in one-on-one, backed up the defender with speed, then went between his legs on a shot which nearly beat the goalie above the left pad.
With the Moose on the PP (Brendan Kichton drew a penalty after being boarded from behind), Austen Brassard let go a hard wrister from the top of the right circle which beat Binnington blocker side, putting the Moose up 3-1.
Minutes later, the Moose came in 3-on-2, with Scott Kosmachuk taking the puck wide down the right wing; he took a look around and found Nic Petan open in the slot, and Petan potted to put the Moose up 4-1.
With under ten minutes left in the third, Connor Hellebuyck made a tremendous glove save off Wolves’ sniper Ty Rattie to keep the score 4-1.
With three minutes to go, Jiri Fronk flew down the left wing and unleashed a wicked wrister from his off-wing, beating Binnington high on the glove side. 5-1 Moose.
In the waning minutes of the game, Emerson Clark collected his own rebound and put it high past Connor Hellebuyck to make the score 5-2 in favour of the Moose.
Today’s Best Moose
Josh Morrissey – He figured prominently in the scoring today, collecting 1 goal and 3 assists, including two assists on the powerplay. In addition to the soft hands and passing ability that comes standard in his arsenal, Morrissey was showing great improvement in getting shots to the net, which led to both of the first two Moose goals.
Connor Hellebuyck – While the first goal of the game may be one he’d like to have back, Hellebuyck was rock solid the rest of the game, allowing just 2 goals on 42 shots, winning his first home game of the season for the Moose.
Scott Kosmachuk – He made a really nice defensive play early in the game, and then helped close out the game on a great pass to Petan for the Moose’s fourth goal. He has looked very comfortable playing on Petan’s line for the past few weeks, and the two seem to be clicking together.
Injuries
After being injured in Saturday’s game, J.C Lipon was out today. Jay Harrison also continues to sit out.
Audio
Josh Morrissey
Connor Hellebuyck
Coach Keith McCambridge
