Preview: Rematch with the Griffins
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: November 10th 2018
Nov. 10, 2018 vs GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS
Tonight the Manitoba Moose (6-6-0-0) get a shot at redemption, after losing 4-1 to the Grand Rapids Griffins (6-5-0-1) on Thursday. The 6:00 p.m. CT puck drop at Bell MTS Place is also part of the team’s Retro Jersey Night.
The Moose will wear jerseys from the 2004-2010 era in the game and select jerseys will be auctioned on the concourse during the contest. The rest of the jerseys will be auctioned online with proceeds supporting Hockey Manitoba. Participating Bell MTS Place concessions will offer a special Retro Combo with a jumbo hot dog, bag of potato chips, and a fountain drink all for $8.00. If you don’t have tickets yet, head to moosehockey.com/tickets/ to help celebrate the team’s history in Manitoba.
On the ice, the Moose are fighting to get back in the win column before heading back on the road. Thursday’s game was tightly contested through the first two periods with Grand Rapids finding three goals in the third frame. Eric Comrie stopped 35 of 38 Griffins’ shots and Logan Stanley scored his first professional goal in the contest.
Forward Seth Griffith said the team found some strong moments against Grand Rapids such as Stanley and Comrie, but they weren’t able to carry that through the whole game.
“Yeah, we had spurts of good play, but if we want to win consistently on a night-to-night basis we’ve got to put in a full, 60 minute effort. [Thursday] we didn’t do that.”
While the scoring has been low for Manitoba this season, Griffith explained that the team’s defensive game will be the key to them winning games.
“You watch some of our goals lately, it’s off the rush. It comes from turnovers that we force and we go the other way on an odd-man rush and we get opportunities. All it takes is one mistake and you’re going the other way and it could end up in the back of the net.“
Manitoba will have to beware Chris Terry (2G) and Matt Puempel (1G, 1A) in tonight’s action as well as find a way to keep out of the penalty box. In Thursday’s meeting the teams combined for 36 penalty minutes, but two thirds of those belonged to the Moose.
Defenceman Tucker Poolman said the team will continue to battle frustration with communication. The term mindset has been mentioned a lot by coaches and players, but Poolman illustrated how the right head space turns into success.
“It’s kind of psychological, just not get too down on ourselves or too negative. Make sure we have a good bench and everyone is happy and excited to be there. That leads to an aggressive mindset which helps our forecheck and everything else falls into place. So it’s really just a mentality I think.”
If you aren’t able to attend tonight’s game, find us on TSN 1290, Moose App, moosehockey.com/listenlive, or streaming live on AHLTV.
