Special teams the difference as Manitoba Moose fall to the Abbotsford Canucks 5-2

The Moose built themselves a few leads in their game last night but ultimately they lost 4-3 to the Canucks in their first of two games out on the west coast. They would have another chance this evening as they conclude the road trip with a re-match in Abbotsford.

Lineup news:

Just a few changes for Manitoba as they had Dean Stewart draw in for his first game in over a month as he came in for Ashton Sauter. Also Collin Delia got the net over Thomas Milic.

Moose lineup:

Malott – Lambert – Chibrikov
Suess – Toninato – AJF
Viel – Reichel – Ford
Golder – Nikkanen – Torgersson

Capobianco – Bauer
Heinola –Stewart
Lundmark – Barteaux

Delia

Notable:

Canucks open the scoring in Abbotsford as this pass was a little too hot to handle for Jets prospect Brad Lambert and Sheldon Dries made it 1-0.

Less than stellar D by Manitoba in the D zone with too many turnovers which gives Abbotsford a chance to make it 2-0.

Little bank action for Tyrel Bauer who cuts the Moose deficit in half with his second goal of the season. Right after Collin Delia save which kept his club within two goals.

Trailing by two goals in the middle frame Collin Delia makes four saves in short sequence on the PK to keep the puck out of his net.

A potential momentum change as Jeff Malott went hard to the net and Jeffrey Viel shovels the loose puck into the net.  They reviewed it and kept the original call which cut the lead for the Canucks to 3-2. Viel ties his career high for goals with 15 in game 62. Last year he had 15 goals in 60 games with the Barracuda.

Pretty causal by Manitoba as they just aren’t ready to take advantage of the goal that brought them within one. Instead a Canucks counter-strike helps them regain their two goal advantage just 29 seconds later.

Abbotsford led Manitoba 4-2 after 40 minutes holding a 23-18 shot edge.

Moose come out on fire with a 5-0 shot edge to start the final frame.

Someone forgot to pay the electric bill in Abbotsford. Don’t see that very often (if ever) as the lights go out (briefly).

A bad line change by the Moose and the Canucks spring into action quickly to set up a 2 on 1 which ends up in the Manitoba goal. Abbotsford led 5-2 with four minutes left.

The Moose went 0/5 on the power giving up a shorthanded goal. They also gave up a power play goal as the Canucks went 1/2 and that was the difference in the hockey game as Manitoba is swept in their trip out west.

Multi-point game:

None

Highlights:

Post-game interview:

To follow.

Up next:

The Moose return to Manitoba tomorrow as they get set to kick off the final four games at home in the regular season which starts with a huge game against the Wolves on Saturday afternoon.