PREVIEW: Moose Back Home to take on the Rampage
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: December 21st 2017
The Moose start another four-game home stand tonight in their first meeting with the San Antonio Rampage. Manitoba has been tough to beat at Bell MTS Place this year, going 8-1-1-2, with the only regulation loss coming in the season opener. In fact, the team has tied a franchise record (1999-2000) for home games with a point, having recorded one in their last 11 games in downtown Winnipeg. They’ll face off against a hot Rampage squad who have secured nine of the last 10 points available to them. Make sure you get your tickets at moosehockey.com/tickets/ and catch some pre-holiday Moose action.
MOOSE ON TOP
With a record of 21-5-1-2, the Moose enter the week in possession of top spot in the AHL. The team has a three-point lead on the Toronto Marlies and a points percentage of 0.776. The Moose and Marlies each have 21 wins on the season, with 20 of those coming in regulation or overtime. To reach their current spot in the standings, the Moose posted a 17-2-0-1 record over their past 20 games.
HISTORIC WIN
Manitoba’s 5-1 win in Toronto on Sunday was the 14th straight game the team had registered a point, setting a new franchise record. The team put together a 13-0-0-1 record during the 14 games which started with a 3-2 win against Chicago on Nov. 15 and included a nine-game winning streak.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Michael Hutchinson has been named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 17. Hutchinson led the Moose to two wins in Toronto on the weekend, making 66 saves on 68 shots. Hutchinson’s 1.00 GAA and 0.971 SV% was among the best in the AHL this week. In 14 appearances this season, Hutchinson holds an 11-1-2 record with a 1.71 GAA and league-leading 0.950 SV%. He is the third Moose player to earn Player of the Week honours in the past five weeks (Appleton, Petan, Hutchinson) and was named the CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month in November.
BUDDY ON THE SPOT
Buddy Robinson led the AHL with eight points (3G, 5A) in three games last week. His biggest night came Friday when he torched Belleville for five points (1G, 4A), a new career high. In three games this season against the Senators, his former team, Robinson scored 9 points (3G, 6A). Robinson is third on the Moose with 26 points (12G, 14A) and third on the team in goals.
VINCENT CLINCHES ALLSTAR SPOT
Manitoba’s victory on Sunday also clinched Head Coach Pascal Vincent’s spot at the 2018 All-Star Classic in Utica. Vincent is in his second season of coaching the Moose and through 105 games, the team has a 50-42-6-7 record with the Laval, Que. native at the helm.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Moose wrap up the series with the Rampage on Friday night, before a brief holiday break. Tomorrow’s game is also a mini Mick E. Moose gnome giveaway, if you need one last stocking stuffer. After the break, they’ll finish off a four-game home stand with two matinee games against San Jose (Dec. 30/31). For tickets, visit moosehockey.com/tickets/.
