PREVIEW: MOOSE VS ADMIRALS NO. 6
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: February 19th 2018
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah MOOSE GAME! It’s Superhero Day at Bell MTS Place and the Moose (32-13-4-3) hit the ice to take on the Milwaukee Admirals (25-21-4-1) at 2 p.m. (CT). It’s going to be a terrific, family friendly atmosphere with Batman and Wonder Woman in attendance. You can still get tickets at moosehockey.com/tickets/, or tune in to TSN1290 at 1:45 p.m. (CT) for Steve Schuster and the pregame show.
PENALTIES KILLED
The Moose penalty kill is getting back to its early-season form, shutting down 12 straight power plays against over the past three games. Overall, the Moose are third in the AHL with an 86.1 per cent success rate down a man. The penalty kill has had plenty of opportunity to work as Manitoba has been shorthanded 237 times this season, fifth-most in the league.
LOOKING DOWN ON THE COMPETITION
One thing the Moose do not lack is height. Manitoba is the third-tallest team in the AHL, averaging out at 186.25 cm (6.11 ft). Buddy Robinson checks in as the tallest member of the team at 6'6". A total of seven Moose measure up at over 6'3" while just three players on the roster are under 6'0".
GETTING IN THE GAMES
Moose rookies have been a key piece of Manitoba's success this season and are gaining valuable experience along the way. Four of the team's rookies have appeared in over 35 games in 2017-18 and the Moose are led in games played by a pair of rookies in Mason Appleton and Sami Niku who have both suited up for 52 games. Niku played 59 games with JYP last season while Appleton appeared in just 35 games for Michigan State.
HOME/ROAD DISPARITY
Patrice Cormier is in the midst of a career season with 34 points (19G, 15A) in 51 games. Checking the Moose captain's home and away breakdown reveals a quirk in Cormier's production. The Moncton, NB native has 25 points (15G, 10A) while on the road, compared to eight points (4G, 4A). Cormier isn't the only Moose with difference in his numbers at home versus on the road. JC Lipon has scored nine of his 10 goals away from Bell MTS Place while Chase De Leo has scored seven of his nine goals on home ice.
KEEP 'ER STEADY
Jansen Harkins sits atop the Moose plus/minus leader board for the month. The rookie
forward is a plus-five through eight games played in February. The former second round selection has 11 points (2G, 11A) in 38 games this season.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Wednesday’s rematch against the Admirals (Feb. 21) is also Student Night, with a special pricing package available to anyone with a valid Student I.D. For more information, visit: https://moosehockey.com/seats/groups/student-night/.
