Wild top Moose 1-0 in OT

The Moose took on the Iowa Wild (AHL Minnesota) tonight at MTS Centre. It was their first appearance since the scary incident in Tucson, which saw Roadrunners’ captain Craig Cunningham collapse on the ice, and the game canceled. With half of their forwards from opening day lineup in the NHL, and three ECHL players in tonight’s lineup, the Moose didn’t have the offensive punch they started the year with, but Eric Comrie did his best to make up for it.

Scoring Summary:

Iowa Goal (1): Teemu Pulkkinen ends it in OT with a wrist shot glove side that just snuck by Comrie.

Post-game audio:

Eric Comrie.

Jack Roslovic.

Coach Vincent.

Player Assessment:

GOALTENDER

Eric Comrie: Comrie was outstanding tonight, stopping all 33 shots in regulation to send this game to overtime. He made 20 stops in the second period alone, where the Moose were completely out-chanced and outplayed. He also robbed the wild in OT on a two-on-one prior to the game-ending goal by Teemu Pulkkinen – an elite AHL goal scorer. Comrie made several stops point blank, one-on-one with a shooter, challenging aggressively while staying true to his angles. Bottom-line: if not for Comrie’s spectacular play, the Moose would have been down 2-o or 3-0 by the end of the second period; he single-handedly got them a point tonight.

FORWARDS

Jack Roslovic: The most dangerous player on the ice for either side, he created several chances using deceptive speed and smooth puck handling. He was very good in the first and third, controlling play at times with poise and patience. Add vision, and shot, accuracy to his list of talents, and Roslovic possess an incredibly well-rounded skill-set, one which is pretty unique in the AHL. It’s especially impressive given that he’s one of just seven teenagers in the entire league.

J.C Lipon: He had several chances tonight but wasn’t able to cash, including a partially empty net on the powerplay which he just missed wide. He made a lot happen with his feet, and generally brought his usual game – hard working, quick, gritty, and purely North-South.

Brendan Lemieux: He had a few good moments offensively, including a good net drive early in the game where he managed to draw a penalty. He was also noticeable defensively, highlighted by a great back-check to break up what would have been a Teemu Pulkkinen breakaway. A fairly quiet game overall, but certainly more good than bad. 

Jimmy Lodge: Lodge created a few great chances tonight – one a net drive after a good deke, almost putting the Moose up 1-0 early, then another late in the game where he showed good patience and cut to the middle for a nice a dangerous shot on goal. He had good chemistry with linemates Dan DeSalvo and J.C Lipon, and seemed to flourish playing a top-6 role for the first time in his short AHL career.

Dan DeSalvo: From ECHL scorer to second line centre, DeSalvo was effective on the PP, and particularly noticeable in the third period as his line was pressing to end the game. He uses quick, soft hands, excellent passing, and good anticipation to help make up for his lack of size (5’7).

Scott Glennie: A quiet night for Glennie, who wasn’t too noticeable in any respect.

Ryan Olsen: Only notable play was an unnecessary cross-checking penalty in the offensive zone, early in the game.

Patrice Cormier: He played in the bottom-6 tonight, mostly with Kramer, Olsen, and the ECHL call-ups (Kessy and Murphy).

Darcy Murphy: One of three players on the roster who started the year in the ECHL, Murphy didn’t play a lot, and didn’t make much of an impact on the game.

Darren Kramer: Used on the pk and gave an honest effort as always.

Kale Kessy: Fought in the second period and it ended poorly. The latest ECHL forward call-up for the Moose.

Injured: Scott Kosmachuk, Brandon Denham

DEFENCEMEN

Brenden Kichton: Still finding his groove after returning recently from injury, Kichton played with his usual poise, and provided good puck movement for the powerplay. He had a lot of shots blocked tonight on the PP, which could be bad luck, bad choices, or perhaps a mix of both.

Peter Stoykewych: Anchoring the shut-down pair with Julian Melchiori, they struggled at times to contain the wild’s top guns, particularly Christoph Bertschy and Teemu Pulkinnen. Overall, Stoykewych wasn’t bad tonight, but he didn’t show the same type of anticipation, composure, and quick stick that he has in past games.

Julian Melchiori: He threw a few pucks at the net tonight where passing was a better option. He also had trouble containing some of the top Wild forwards, as mentioned above. Not a bad game, but if he wants to play at the next level, then he should be able to separate forwards from the puck better at this level.

Kevin Czuczman: A steady but unremarkable game from Czuzcman, he’s been bumped to the second PP now that Brenden Kichton is back, and paired with Kichton at even-strength. He’s a big body with decent skill, but at 25, and in his fourth year in pro hockey, he’s a bit old to be considered a prospect.

Nelson Nogier: The rookie was paired with Brian Strait and they collectively struggled, looking a bit erratic at times, and failing to move the puck well.

Brian Strait: As the veteran paired with a 20-year-old d-man, he needs to be better. In the three games I’ve seen Strait play thus far, he doesn’t look like a top-4 AHL defenceman, nevermind one who garnered an 1-way NHL deal.

Jordan Hill: Dressed as the 7th d-man tonight and didn’t get on the ice a whole lot.

Not in the Lineup: Jan Kostalek, Jake Baker

Lines

Lemieux-Roslovic-Glennie
Lipon-DeSalvo-Lodge
Cormier-Olsen-Kramer
Murphy, Kessy (rotated in with Cormier and Olsen)

Stoykewych-Melchiori
Czuczman-Kichton
Strait-Nogier
Hill

Comrie
Pavelec