(1) Official Game Sheet
For the scoring summary link click here.
(2) Lineup
Petan – Roslovic – Appleton
Lemieux – Cormier – Robinson
De Leo – Sgarbossa – Lipon
Harkins – Spacek – Maclise
Schilling – Niku
Stoykewych – Beaudoin
Kulevich – Gotovets
Hutchinson
Phillips
(3) Notable
– Jack Roslovic had 1G 2A (and is now tied for 1st overall in AHL scoring);
– Nic Petan had 1G 2A (15 points (3G 12A) in last nine games. Overall has 23 points (5G 18A) in 23 games);
– Sami Niku had 1G 1A (He is fourth overall in AHL defenceman scoring and is first overall for rookie defencemen);
– Patrice Cormier had 1 shorthanded goal (his third SH goal of season, seventh goal in last five games);
– Michael Hutchinson made 33 saves in yesterday’s 7-2 win and is now 12-1-2 with a 1.72 GAA (2nd best in AHL) and a 0.950 save % (best in AHL).
– Moose have three of the top 10 scorers in the AHL right now. Jack Roslovic (1), Mason Appleton (7) and Buddy Robinson (10).
– Moose have three of the top 15 defencemen (in terms of points) in the AHL right now. Cameron Schilling (4), Sami Niku (5) and Peter Stoykewych (14).
(4) Game Summary
Moose didn’t get off to a great start and the Rampage took advantage scoring the opening goal of the first period when Manitoba blew the coverage and Vogelhuber scored. Soon thereafter Mason Appleton on a shot across from Nic Petan tied up the game. The opening frame was a bit of a see-saw affair but ended tied 1-1 with the Moose holding a 17-12 shot edge.
The second period saw an offensive explosion off goals by Niku, Roslovic, Petan and Cormier which gave the home side a 5-1 lead after 40 minutes. More importantly they essentially cut off the Rampage attack and didn’t allow a San Antonio shot for the second half of the middle frame.
Early in the final period the Moose gave up a rare power play goal against but quickly mounted a comeback adding two goals in 12 seconds about two minutes later to put this one to bed when Michael Spacek and Mike Sgarbossa scored.
Michael Hutchinson made 33 saves in the win and is now 12-1-2 with a 1.72 GAA and a 0.950 save %.
Moose are up to 22-5-1-2 this season. In their last 20 games the Moose are 18-1-0-1 with tonight’s 7-2 win over the Rampage including points in 15 straight (14-0-0-1) in which, according to the AHL, they have outscored their opponents 72-25.
(5) Post-game
#MBMoose forward Nic Petan spoke to the media about Thursday’s 7-2 win, in which he was named first first star (1G, 2A) #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/w4hWCnqJvM
— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) December 22, 2017
“We didn’t give much in the second.” – #MBMoose Captain Patrice Cormier on the defence leading to a four-goal second period #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/GtgnCYKX2d
— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) December 22, 2017
“We’re a big heavy team. We welcome physical games.” – #MBMoose Head Coach Pascal Vincent on his team’s response after a gritty first period #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/DydqoT37wY
— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) December 22, 2017
(6) Next Game Action
Friday, December 22nd will be a re-match against the Rampage and the final game before the holiday break. Puck drop is at 7 pm.
