Moose open home stand vs. Charlotte
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: March 9th 2017
The Manitoba Moose (23-28-4-4) open up their season long eight-game home stand this evening when they welcome the Charlotte Checkers (26-27-4-0) back to MTS Centre at 7 p.m. CT.
Last Game
Manitoba’s last game was on Sunday in a 5-4 loss to the Chicago Wolves. The Moose jumped out to an early 2-0 lead but Chicago netted five straight on their way to victory. Manitoba did add two in the third to make things interesting, but it wasn’t enough. The game was Manitoba’s third in as many days.
Flash Back
Today’s game is the seventh of eight matchups between the Moose and Checkers this season. It’s been quite even as the Moose hold a 2-2-2-0 record vs. Charlotte. Their most recent contest came back on Jan. 28 at Bojangles’ Coliseum where the Moose lead wire-to-wire in a 2-1 victory. Moose forwards Brendan Lemieux and Kyle Connor netted the two Manitoba tallies.
Player of the Week
On Monday, March 6, the American Hockey League named Moose forward Kyle Connor CCM/AHL Player of the Week. Connor was a mainstay on the score sheet last week, picking up eight points (6G, 2A) in four games on the road. The first-year winger is currently on a six-game point streak with 13 points (10G, 3A) over that span. The Shelby Township, MI product has 31 points (18G, 13A) in 38 contests this season.
Powerplay Be Clickin'
In Sunday's game vs. Chicago, the Moose picked up two of their four goals on the powerplay with Brandon Tanev and Brendan Lemieux picking up the two markers. Since Feb. 25, Manitoba's powerplay has scored at least one goal in five of their last six games. During this stretch, Manitoba's powerplay is operating at 23.1% efficiency. Overall, Manitoba's powerplay has a 17.6% success rate.
Charlotte’s Story
The Checkers enter today’s game looking to get back in the win column after being swept by Bakersfield last weekend. Charlotte is 5-4-0-1 in their last 10 games and sits just above the Moose in the Central Division standings in sixth place. The Carolina Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate has had their share of struggles on the powerplay this season, operating at a league-worst 10.5 per cent. On the offensive side of things, forward Andrew Poturalski leads his team with 42 points (15G, 27A) through 57 games. Charlotte made a move at the AHL trade deadline on Thursday, bringing veteran goaltender Tom McCollum into the fold. Over 227 AHL games, the 27-year-old has a GAA of 2.78 and a .905 save percentage.
What’s Next?
The Moose wrap up the season series vs. Charlotte tomorrow night when they clash with the Checkers at 7 p.m. CT at MTS Centre. For tickets to all Manitoba Moose home games, visit moosehockey.com/tickets.
