Preview: Cooling Off the Heat
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: December 8th 2018
Dec. 8, 2018 at STOCKTON HEAT
The sun is setting on the six-game trip through California, but before they can head home, the Manitoba Moose (11-12-1-0) play the rematch against the Stockton Heat (11-12-1-0) tonight at 8 p.m. CT.
The Moose ended their three-game losing streak last night with a 2-1 victory over the Heat. Both Moose goals came in the first period, and both came off the sticks of rookies.
Logan Stanley scored his second goal of the season on a power play at 2:46 of the first period. It was also Stanley’s second point (1G, 1A) in as many games. The Waterloo, Ont. native is taking advantage of added ice time despite constant changes around the team. In the last seven games, Stanley has been paired with five different d-partners.
With only 46 seconds left in last night’s first period, C.J. Suess scored off a give-and-go play with Skyler McKenzie. Suess’s seventh of the campaign was also his first career game-winner.
Suess has Eric Comrie to thank for the achievement. Comrie made 41 saves, including 20 in the second period alone. In his AHL career, Comrie is 3-0-1 at Stockton Arena with a 0.98 goals-against average and a 0.976 save percentage.
McKenzie, Marko Dano, Logan Shaw, and Michael Spacek recorded assists on Friday night. For Shaw and Spacek the California sunshine has worked wonders. Spacek has five assists in five games, while Shaw has seven points (6G, 1A) since making the trip out to the West Coast.
The key factor in tonight’s rematch may be special teams. The Moose penalty kill went seven-for-seven last night, while Stanley’s goal was the team’s 11th man-advantage marker of the season. Manitoba has scored four power play goals on this road trip, but are still tied with San Jose for the least in the AHL. Meanwhile Stockton has the AHL’s 20th ranked penalty kill, and is tied with Utica for the most short-handed goals allowed (8).
You can tune in to tonight’s action on TSN 1290, moosehockey.com/listenlive, the Moose App, or streaming live on AHLTV. Pre-game coverage begins at 7:45 p.m. CT.
The reigning Calder Cup Champion Toronto Marlies come to town next weekend (Dec 14/15) for a two-game set that ends on Saturday with the annual Teddy Bear Toss in support of the Christmas Cheer Board, presented by Red River Co-op. Tickets are nearly sold out for the Teddy Bear Toss, but you can still get yours at moosehockey.com/tickets.
