PREVIEW: Bringing it in Belleville

Belleville left Winnipeg with a pair of wins, the last time the Moose met the Senators. The first game ended in a shootout and the second on an overtime winner from Belleville’s Filip Chlapik. After those games, Manitoba had a record of 4-3-1-1 as they finished off October, but things for the Moose have been clicking ever since, going 14-2-0-1 and shooting into second place in the AHL. With one more meeting between the clubs coming up in January, Manitoba will be after more than just one point in tonight’s matchup.

QUICK STRIKE OFFENCE 
The Moose have scored the most goals in the AHL with 99 through 26 games and lead the league, scoring 3.81 goals per game. The difference lately, has been their quick succession of one goal after another as they've scored three or more goals in a period in four of their last five games. Furthermore, Manitoba has racked up six three-goal periods, all while not allowing any opponents to register multiple scores in a frame. The last time, Manitoba did allow multiple goals in a period was Nov. 17 against Chicago - 10 games ago.

COMRIE RETURNS 
The Winnipeg Jets re-assigned goaltender Eric Comrie to the Moose earlier this week. The 2013 second round pick played in one game during his call- up to the big club, making 30 saves in a 6-4 loss to the Florida Panthers on Dec, 7. Comrie has played in 13 games for the Moose this season for an 8-4-1 record with a shutout, a 2.30 GAA and a .927 SV%.

PHILLIPS REASSIGNED
With Comrie back, goaltender Jamie Phillips has been reassigned to Jacksonville (ECHL). Phillips made his season debut for the Moose in a 6-1 victory over Milwaukee on Dec. 10. The second-year pro made 32 saves to pick up the third win of his AHL career. In 12 career AHL games, Phillips has a 2.79 GAA and a 0.912 SV%.

BALANCED ATTACK
In their first three games of December, the Moose have seen contributions all through their lineup. The team scored 13 goals in those games, provided by 12 different goal scorers. The only player to score twice in Manitoba's previous three contests is Patrice Cormier with a pair on Dec. 10.

DEFENCEMEN ON THE MOVE
After setting a new career high with his 12th point (4G, 8A) of the season, Julian Melchiori has been recalled by the Winnipeg Jets. Melchiori has appeared in 30 NHL games while registering two assists. Meanwhile the Moose have recalled defenceman Chris Dienes from Jacksonville. The first- year pro has 10 points (4G, 6A) in 22 games with the Icemen and is a plus- six rating on the season.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Tonight’s game against Belleville is the start of a three-game weekend, as the Moose move on to Toronto to play the Marlies on Saturday and Sunday, both at 3 p.m. CT. After the intense schedule the team gets a short break before starting a four-game home stand with a series against San Antonio (Dec. 21/22). Make sure to get your tickets at: moosehockey.com/tickets/ to catch all the action this holiday season.