PREVIEW: Rematch with the Stars
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: January 20th 2018
The Manitoba Moose (26-9-3-2) get a shot at revenge tonight against the Texas Stars (21-15-4-2). Last night’s game was only the fifth regulation loss of the season for the Moose at Bell MTS Place. So far, this campaign, Manitoba have found success in the second games of back-to-backs, going 11-1-1-0 in those games. To see tonight’s matchup live, head to moosehockey.com/tickets/ and grab your tickets.
REINFORCEMENTS
The Moose have added three players to the roster ahead of tonight's game. The Winnipeg Jets reassigned forward Jansen Harkins from the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL) to the Moose. Harkins has eight points (2G, 6A) in 26 games with the Moose this season and has six points (2G, 4A) in six games with Jacksonville. The Moose also recalled forward Elgin Pearce from the Icemen. Pearce leads Jacksonville with 13 goals and 29 points in 37 games. Manitoba also signed forward Garrett Meurs to a professional tryout. Meurs is tied for 18th in ECHL scoring with 36 points (15G, 21A) in 37 games this season for the Wheeling Nailers.
SEEKING SCORERS
Due to injuries, call-ups and a suspension the Moose were missing significant contributors to their line-up in Friday’s game, the first-time Manitoba was shutout this season. The group of Jack Roslovic, Buddy Robinson, Mike Sgarbossa, JC Lipon, and Cameron Schilling have 57 goals on the campaign. That accounts for 39 percent of the team’s league-leading 147 goals.
SHOOTING GALLERY
Brendan Lemieux led the Moose with a personal season-high seven shots on goal last night. The second-year pro has fired 74 shots this season, an average of 2.85 shots per game. That places him ahead of his shooting rate from his rookie season of 1.96 shots per game.
PK ALL DAY
The Moose lead the Central Division in penalty minutes with 590, the 10th most in the league. Despite the roster shuffling, the penalty kill has maintained a success rate of 86.9 percent, fourth best in the AHL. In last night’s game against Texas, they killed six of seven power plays.
WHAT'S NEXT?
After tonight’s game the Moose head out on the road for their next nine games. They’ll be back on Feb. 15th to take on Grand Rapids. In the meantime, they’ll try to bolster their 14-4-1-0 road record. You can follow all the coverage of the Moose on their road trip at moosehockey.com.
