Moose split series with Stars after 3-2 loss in Texas

The Moose punched their ticket to the post-season last night when they kicked off their final regular season road trip with a 7-5 win over the Stars.

Lineup news:

Evan Cormier, who was recalled from the ECHL, got the net tonight. Oskari Salminen who played last night backed him up. Arvid Holm remains out of lineup due to illness.

Missing tonight were Kristian Reichel, Cole Maier and Henri Nikkanen.

It meant Manitoba went 11/7 with Simon Lundmark returning on D and Wyatt Bongiovanni also back in the lineup after dealing with a lower-body injury.

Moose lineup:

Malott-Toninato-Harkins
Jones-Meireles-Ford
Torgersson-Limoges
Polei-Bongiovanni-Boland

Sautner – Gawanke
Heinola – Stewart
Oligny – Bauer
Lundmark

Cormier
Salminen

Notable:

If you thought that last night’s goal scoring extravaganza was going to continue tonight that would be reasonable given the way the game started.

The Moose opened the scoring with Parker Ford getting his second goal as a pro just 1:56 into the game.

There wouldn’t be much time to celebrate as the Stars answered right back 19 seconds later to tie the game.

However there would be time for rejoicing for Manitoba as Dominic Toninato ripped his 19th of the year less than a minute later to give his club a 2-1 lead.

The middle frame was in favour of Texas however as they outscored Manitoba 2-0 and outshot them 16 to 8 which gave them a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Despite chance after chance after chance in the final frame the Moose just couldn’t solve Stars goalie Remi Poirier. They outshot them 12 to 3 but he kept making all the stops.

The modest two game win streak for the Moose comes to an end.

Player media availability:

Highlights:

Up next:

The Moose head next to Rockford to play their second last game of the regular season.