PREVIEW: Taking on Chicago
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: February 24th 2018
The Manitoba Moose (33-14-4-3) start a weekend set against their Central Division rivals, the Chicago Wolves (27-17-6-2) this afternoon. Manitoba comes in with a 3-0-1-0 record against the Wolves this season. The Moose came out on top in both previous games at Bell MTS Place, with Brendan Lemieux leading the way. Lemieux comes into today riding a two-game point streak, with six goals over his last seven AHL games. Tickets are still available for today’s 2 p.m. (CT) puck drop at moosehockey.com/tickets/. You can also catch Steve Schuster and the pregame show on moosehockey.com/listenlive/ starting at 1:45 p.m. (CT).
ROSTER MOVES
Tucker Poolman's stay with the Moose was a brief one-game stint as the rookie defenceman was recalled by the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. The NHL club also reassigned goaltender Eric Comrie to the Moose. Comrie has appeared in 25 games while accumulating a 15-8-2 record with a 2.54 GAA, 0.921 SV% and one shutout on the season.
CHASING RECORDS
With a three-point (2G, 1A) night on Wednesday, Mason Appleton reached the 50-point (18G, 32A) plateau in his 54th game of the season. That mark matches the franchise's rookie points record originally set by Sean Tallaire during the team's inaugural season in 1996-97. Appleton also surged past the highest rookie point total in the team's AHL history, surpassing the 48 points recorded by Brenden Kichton (2013-14) and Jack Roslovic (2016-17). Appleton is also closing in on Kichton's rookie assist record of 38 helpers set in 2013-14 and is seven goals away from equaling Kyle Connor's mark of 25 goals set last season.
AHEAD BY A CENTURY
Brendan Lemieux's 100th AHL game was a memorable one for the second-year pro. Lemieux scored twice to post his second multi-goal game of the season, tied for the Moose lead with six shots on goal and recorded 14 penalty minutes. In his 100 games, Lemieux has a total of 53 points (29G, 24A) and 249 penalty minutes in the books.
HELPING HAND
Forward JC Lipon hit a century mark of his own on Wednesday, posting three assists to surpass 100 assists in his AHL career. The Regina, SK native also picked up his 150th point, with both marks coming in his 309th AHL game. Lipon has 24 points (10G, 14A) in 46 games this season.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Moose and Wolves are back at it tomorrow at 2 p.m. (CT). Sunday’s game is also retro jersey night, with a throwback fan experience. The players will wear classic Moose jerseys which will be auctioned off at the game and online, in support of Hockey Manitoba. Visit moosehockey.com/tickets/ for tickets.
