PREVIEW: Back in Iowa
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: March 11th 2018
The Manitoba Moose (36-16-4-4) are back on the ice today in Iowa, where they take on the Wild (27-18-8-5) at Wells Fargo Arena. Today’s game is the last in a stretch of 17 straight matchups against Central Division opponents. Coming in with a record of 7-7-1-2 so far in those games, Manitoba has seen their Division tighten up the standings in the second half of the season. That includes the now third place Wild who the Moose play for the final time in the regular season today. This afternoon’s game is available on TSN 1290 and moosehockey.com/listenlive/ with puck drop at 3 p.m. (CT).
PRODUCING FROM THE POINT
Peter Stoykewych scored his eighth goal of the season last night which pushed him to 25 points on the season. The Moose are one of just three teams in the AHL to feature a back-end with three players recording 25 or more points. In addition to Stoykewych, the Moose blue line features Sami Niku at 43 points and Cameron Schilling at 28 points. The two additional teams with three defenders over 25 points are Stockton and Iowa.
CENTENNIAL
Forward Nic Petan is scheduled to suit up for his 100th AHL game today against the Wild. Petan made his Moose debut on Nov. 20/15, recording an assist against Bakersfield. The Delta, BC native has 80 points (26G, 54A) in 99 career AHL games. The skilled forward is also just five contests away from playing 100 games in the NHL where he has tallied 21 points (5G, 16A).
THE TRAVELERS
Manitoba picked up its 21st road win of the season last night in Chicago. The Moose are four victories away, with eight road games left, from matching the franchise record of 25 road wins (2008-09). After having a 14-game point streak away from Bell MTS Place snapped on Feb. 6 in Grand Rapids, the Moose have picked up right where they left off, and have points in four straight road games (2-0-1-1).
SCHEDULING QUIRK
The Moose and Wild are facing off for the third time in nine days after the teams met for a pair of contests on March 3 and 4 in Winnipeg. It's not the first time the teams have played a trio of games in quick succession. The clubs clashed three times in nine days from Jan. 6-14. Manitoba got the best of that set with a 2-1-0-0 record. Today's game will be the rubber match of the latest set after the teams split their games at Bell MTS Place.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Moose road trip continues in the Lone Star State. Manitoba heads south for four games against the Texas Stars and San Antonio Rampage. The Stars are up first on Wednesday, Mar. 14. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. (CT) so tune in on TSN 1290 or moosehockey.com/listenlive/.
