The Moose entered their best of three play-in series with the Stars this evening in Texas feeling good about their game overall and the way they’ve played their opponent this season. Manitoba went 6-2-0 in the eight regular season meetings including sweeping the final two-game set by a combined 11-4 score last weekend to conclude the regular season.
Lineup news:
After sitting in the last regular season game the Moose saw the return of Jeff Malott, Dominic Toninato, Kristian Reichel and Kyle Capobianco to the lineup for game 1. Jets prospects Colby Barlow and Connor Levis came out of the lineup as did Carson Golder.
With Capobianco coming back into the lineup on the backend Manitoba shuffled some pairs around including Dylan Anhorn to the right side for Dmitry Kuzmin.
Moose lineup:
Malott – Lambert – AJF
Viel – Reichel – Ford
Suess – Toninato– Chibrikov
Torgersson-Nikkanen-Liwiski
Capobianco – Barteaux
Heinola –Lundmark
Sautner – Anhorn
Milic
Notable:
Moose opened the scoring in Texas with this rather unusual goal by Daniel Torgersson.
After the Moose gave up four straight to spot the Stars a 4-1 edge they cut that to 4-2 as Nikita Chibrikov fired home this shot on the PP for his first AHL playoff goal. Assists to Lambert and Heinola for a Jets prospects tally.
They were outshot 28-15 through 40 minutes which is quite the script being flipped based on the last few games.
The visitors began the final frame off on the right skate when Parker Ford brought them within one as he buried his own rebound with plenty of time to go in the 3rd.
Of course doesn’t help when you give up a goal just over a minute later. Tough mistake by Simon Lundmark and the Moose deficit was back to to two.
The visitors didn’t have a great effort on a 6 on 5 as they just couldn’t sustain the pressure and the Stars put it into the empty net to make it 6-3 and that’s how this game ended.
Tough loss for Manitoba as they are in must-win territory for game 2 in this best of three play-in series.
Multi-point game:
Kyle Capobianco 2A
Ville Heinola 2A
Highlights:
Post-game interviews:
Up next:
The Moose are scheduled to practice tomorrow at 1 PM CDT as they prepare for Thursday’s game 2 against the Stars.
