Moose shut down Wolves attack in 2-0 win

February 24, 2018 – Manitoba Moose vs. Chicago Wolves

The Moose took on Vegas’ farm club, the Chicago Wolves in a matinee affair at Bell-MTS Place. The Moose were coming off an emotional 6-3 win which included one of the most memorable plays in recent memory – a goalie fight between 6’3 Moose goaltender Jamie Phillips, and Milwaukee’s 6’6 monster, Anders Lindback. Meanwhile, after spending the last few weeks with the Jets, goaltender Eric Comrie got his first start in goal since February 7th.

Lineup                                                  

1-Robinson-Sgarbossa-Spacek
2-De Leo-Cormier-Appleton
3-Lemieux-MacLise-Lipon
4-Beauvillier-Harkins-Sutter

Schilling-Stoykewych
Melchiori-Niku
Gotovets-Beaudoin

Comrie
Phillips

Game Recap

Eric Comrie was busy early in the first and made a few really good saves to keep the Wolves scoreless, including two really good reaction saves in tight where he had to move quickly across his crease. The Moose didn’t generate any great chances in the first and were outshot 10-6 by the visitors.

Early in the second, Mason Appleton came over the Wolves’ line and dropped the puck for Cam Maclise; the right-shooting MacLise walked in fired a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot which beat goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo glove side – one the Wolves’ goaltender would definitely like to have back. Then just a few minutes later, Jansen Harkins came down the left wing and fired a low, purposeful wrist shot on net – one that begged for a rebound – and Francis Beauvillier was Johnny in the slot and buried it past Kaskisuo to put the Moose up 2-0. Eric Comrie continued his strong play, keeping himself square to the puck and stopping everything in his path. Meanwhile, the Moose took it to the Wolves in the second, out-shooting them 21-10.

Despite the number of shots on goal, the third period resembled the rest of the game in that there wasn’t a lot of action. There were only two great scoring chances in the period – one each – a fantastic save by Comrie halfway through the third off a strange bounce in front, and a similar save by Kaskisuo when Chase De Leo set up Mason Appleton beautifully out front. The Wolves pulled their goalie in the final minutes of the and had some pressure, but nothing from the dangerous area.

Scoring Summary

Official game sheet link

Game Notes & Other News

–Eric Comrie played his first game in over two weeks and was excellent. He didn’t have to make any highlight reel saves, but that was partly because of how efficient and well positioned he was in net. Considering the string of tough starts he had in early January, it was an encouraging sight for those who hope Comrie can take over the back-up role for the Jets in a few years.

–Mason Appleton was dangerous this afternoon, controlling the puck in the offensive zone, setting up plays, and taking a few dangerous shots on goal. With his assist on the game’s opening goal, he set the Moose franchise rookie scoring record today with his 51st point of the year. His futures is bright given his well-rounded abilities – size (6’2), speed, puck control, hockey IQ, vision, and an excellent release.

–Sami Niku had a low-event game today, though he did make things happen in the second period, setting up a few good chances. As always, he was elusive, smooth skating, and ate up a lot of ice time, paired with Moose veteran Julian Melchiori. His progression into the AHL’s 2nd highest scoring defenceman has been impressive, but not surprising given the speed and skills of this 1996 born Fin.

–Brendan Lemieux was involved in this game, with 7 shots on goal, though none of them were particularly good chances. He showed good speed wide and drove hard to the net for a good chance early in the first, but wasn’t able to get a good shot off due to some interference that wasn’t called. The other memorable play was an odd-man rush, where he shot (not passed) the puck horizontally through the crease, as if he was trying to shoot it through a brick wall. In sum, he continues to generate a lot of chances with the puck on his stick, but isn’t using his teammates effectively.

–Jansen Harkins continues to show his on-ice smarts, creating the Moose’s second goal off a rebound that he intended to create. He was also rewarded for a good performance on Wednesday with some powerplay time – perhaps the first time he’s played this season with the man advantage. His skating and overall strength have a very long way to go, but his vision, hockey sense, and work ethic show promise.

–Michael Spacek had another quiet game. He missed wide on a few patented powerplay one-timers, and wasn’t noticeable at even strength. The most memorable play he made today was an ill-timed line change was nearly created a short-handed breakaway against, until Eric Comrie raced out to cut it off.

Audio

Eric Comrie

Mason Appleton

Coach Vincet

Next Game Action

Sunday, February 25th at Bell-MTS Place vs. Wolves at 2 pm for Retro game.