PREVIEW: The Texas Tour Continues
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: March 17th 2018
The Manitoba Moose (38-17-4-4) continue their stay in Texas, when they head back to Austin to take on the Stars (32-22-7-3). The teams met on Wednesday when the Moose scored a 6-3 victory. JC Lipon had three-points (1G, 2A) in a wild game that included a five-goal first period. Manitoba can even up the season series with a win tonight, while Texas is fighting to hold onto their playoff berth in the Pacific Division. Tune in to TSN 1290 and moosehockey.com/listenlive/ for tonight’s 7 p.m. (CT) puck drop.
TOP OF THE LIST
Patrice Cormier's first period goal last night was his 190th point in a Moose/IceCaps jersey. That mark gives Cormier the most career points with the franchise as a centre. The Moncton, NB native took over top spot from Bill Bowler (1997-00) and now sits fifth in all-time Moose scoring overall. Cormier's 95 goals with the Moose/IceCaps are also the most for a centre all-time and fourth-most for any position. The former New Jersey Devils second round pick is in the midst of a banner season with career highs in goals (21), assists (18), points (39), plus/minus (+23) and penalty minutes (111).
POWER PLAY CLICKING
The Moose power play has found the score sheet in eight straight games coming into tonight's matchup against the Stars. During that span, Manitoba is operating at 27.3 per cent efficiency, scoring on nine of 33 opportunities. The Moose feature the league's best power play at 22.6 per cent overall and are second-best on the road at 22.6 per cent.
WELCOME BACK
Defenceman Nelson Nogier played his first game of the season last night. Nogier was back in the lineup after missing the first 62 games of the campaign due to an upper body injury sustained in Manitoba's first pre-season game on Sept. 29. In 2016-17, Nogier posted 13 points (2G, 11A) in 60 games with the Moose and appeared in 10 games with the Winnipeg Jets.
200 IN THE BOOKS
Forward Chase De Leo is scheduled to play his 200th AHL game tonight against the Stars. De Leo has been durable in his first three professional seasons, appearing in 93 per cent of Manitoba's games since the start of the 2015-16 season. In 199 games, De Leo has 99 points (43G, 56A), and is second-highest scoring player on the Moose since their return to Winnipeg.
OT HERO
Nic Petan was the overtime hero for the Moose last night. The winning goal was Petan's second overtime tally this season, making him one of just 17 AHL'ers with multiple OT winners so far on the campaign. Overall, Petan has three game-winning goals, tied for fourth on the Moose.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Moose wrap up their seven-game road trip on Tuesday (Mar. 20th) in San Antonio. After that the team heads home for eight straight at Bell MTS Place starting Mar. 22nd against Stockton. Tuesday’s game will be available on moosehockey.com/listenlive/ with a 7 p.m. (CT) puck drop.
