Moose and IceHogs square off
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: March 3rd 2017
The Manitoba Moose (22-27-3-4) open the month of March on the road when they take on the Rockford IceHogs (21-27-8-3) tonight at 7 p.m. CT.
Last Game
Manitoba’s road trip got off on the right foot on Tuesday night when they out-paced the IceHogs to a 5-3 win. Kyle Connor continued his hot-streak with three points (1G, 2A) and Peter Stoykewych registered the first multi-point game (1G, 2A) of his career. Jamie Phillips was the man between the pipes on Tuesday, making 32 saves in his first AHL victory.
Flash Back
Tonight is the sixth meeting between the Moose and IceHogs. Manitoba holds a 2-2-0-1 vs. Rockford this season. Their first victory came in the shootout on Nov. 30. Their most recent two-game set came last week when Rockford skated to 4-3 and 1-0 (SO) victories in Manitoba. Following tonight’s game, the Moose and IceHogs will meet up for one more two-game series in Winnipeg on Mar. 17/18.
Streakin'
With points in four straight, the Moose have matched their season-high point streak. Manitoba reached four games twice earlier this season with four wins from Oc. 28 - Nov. 5, then three wins and an overtime loss from Dec. 19 - Jan. 3. The Moose have won three straight three different times this season. Kyle Connor, Jack Roslovic and Dan DeSalvo have points in all three wins.
Connor... So Hot Right Now
Kyle Connor kept up his torrid pace on Tuesday with a three point game against Rockford. In his last three games, Connor has eight points (5G, 3A) including a hat-trick last Saturday. Over those three games, Connor has a +7 plus/minus rating and 21 shots on goal in his last four games. Connor led the Moose in February with 13 points (7G, 6A), which was second among AHL rookies in the month.
Rockford’s Story
The IceHogs come into tonight’s tilt losers of their last three and sit seventh in the Central Division standings. Manitoba will hope to continue their offensive streak as Rockford has allowed the second most goals in the league (188). After the NHL’s trade deadline saw Rockford lose three of their top scorers, Kyle Baun and Erik Gustafsson have the most points on their active roster. Baun (10G, 15A) and Gustafsson (5G, 20A) both have 25 points, respectively. Jeff Glass has been the main man between the pipes as of late for the Chicago Blackhawks affiliate. In his 15 games with Rockford, he has a 2.54 GAA and a .911 save percentage. Glass has tallied six wins since joining the IceHogs.
What’s Next?
Tonight’s game is the first of three in as many nights. Tomorrow the Moose head north to Milwaukee for their second meeting of the season against the Admirals. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. CT. To listen to all Manitoba Moose road games, be sure to log onto moosehockey.com/listenlive. Don’t forget to tune in 15 minutes early for the pre-game show with Mitch Peacock.
