With the season winding down points are at a premium for a Manitoba club that put themselves behind the eight-ball this season. With just 17 games remaining they were 10 points points back of Rockford who has won three straight games. The likelihood of making the post-season is remote but if they want to do it they need to start sweeping these two-game sets.
Lineup news:
Winnipegger Chris Driedger made his Manitoba debut. First one to tend the net since the 1.0 days when Rejean Beauchemin did it (stick tap to play by play voice Daniel Fink for that tidbit). Edmonton product Colson Gengenbach made his pro debut.
Tyrel Bauer was scheduled to play in the game but he was a late scratch for Dylan Anhorn.
Lines & D pairs:
Shaw– Toninato –Golder
Wagner – JAD – Empey
Suess – King – Lambert
Liwiski – Zhilkin – Gengenbach
Sautner– Salomonsson
Phillips – Coghlan
Anhorn – Lundmark
Driedger
Notable:
Jets prospect Fabian Wagner (2022 6th) is on fire. He opened the scoring for the Moose and has had a goal in each of the last two games. What a win for Manitoba now that he’s really adjusting to the AHL.
Down 2-1 in the final frame the Moose gave up a shorthanded goal which made their deficit two. With a 5 on 3 man advantage a faceoff win by Moose captain Dominic Toninato set up Dylan Coghlan to rip this shot home to bring Manitoba within one. His 9th goal in game 20 (he’s also got 9A).
Manitoba had four power plays in the 3rd period alone and were only able to capitalize on them once. Overall in the game they went 1/6.
The comeback for the Moose falls short as the Wranglers take it 3-2 as they earn a split of the two-game set. Moose conclude the homestand 2-1-0-1 and head out on the road for four games against divisional opponents.
Multi-point game:
None.
Highlights:
To follow.
Player Post-Game:
Coach Post-Game:
Up next:
The Moose head out on the road for four games which are all against Divisional opponents starting on Thursday in Chicago. They are likely off tomorrow and will practice in Winnipeg the days leading up to their next game.
