PREVIEW: Taking on Texas
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: March 14th 2018
The Manitoba Moose (36-17-4-4) hit the midway point of their season-long seven-game road trip tonight against the Texas Stars (32-21-6-3). The Stars are the only team with an undefeated record against the Moose this season, beating them 4-0, and 5-1 on back-to-back nights (Jan. 19/20) in Winnipeg. Manitoba will be keying on Curtis McKenzie in tonight’s game after he had five points (3G, 2A) in the two previous matchups. Catch play-by-play announcer Mitch Peacock and the pregame show on TSN 1290 and moosehockey.com/listenlive/ at 7:15 p.m. (CT).
DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
The Moose play their next four games in the state of Texas, starting today in Austin against the Stars. This is the second season in a row the Moose play four straight games against the Stars and Rampage. In last year's swing, the Moose posted a 2-2-0-0 record in their four-game set. Since returning to Winnipeg, the Moose are 4-4-0-0 through eight games in Texas.
POWER PLAY WEAPON
Just 55 games into his AHL career, forward Michael Spacek is already one of Manitoba's most dangerous weapons on the power play. Nine of Spacek's 12 goals, and 17 of his 29 points, on the season came on the man advantage. He leads the Moose in power play goals and is third in power play points. The Pardubice, CZE native is on a three-game power play point streak.
DIENES RECALLED
The Moose announced Sunday the team recalled defenceman Chris Dienes from the Jacksonville Icemen. Dienes has played 55 games for the Icemen, while recording 28 points (5G, 23A), and participated in the 2018 ECHL All- Star Classic. Dienes made his AHL debut earlier this season, suiting up in one game for the Moose.
YOUNG GUNS CHASING MORE HISTORY
With one assist each in Sunday’s game in Iowa, Mason Appleton (34) and Sami Niku (32) have stepped closer to the franchise’s rookie assist record of 38, held by Brendan Kichton. Kichton reached the mark in 2013-14 while playing in St. John’s. Niku enters today’s four points back of Kichton's franchise record of 48 points by a rookie defenceman. Appleton has already established a new franchise high for overall points by a rookie this season.
ROAD REBOUNDS
The Moose have only lost consecutive road games once this season, when they fell 3-2 in a shootout to Milwaukee (Feb. 6) and then 4-2 to Grand Rapids the following night (Feb. 7). As a point of reference, 10 times last season the team followed up an away loss with another defeat, while in 2015-16 at one point, Manitoba had a road losing streak of lost thirteen games.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Moose head three hours southwest to San Antonio for a game against the Rampage on Friday night. Live coverage is available for the 7:30 p.m. (CT) puck drop on TSN 1290 or moosehockey.com/listenlive/.
