Preview: On the Road Again

Nov. 13, 2018 at SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE

Today the Manitoba Moose (7-6-0-0) make their first visit of the season to San Antonio where they face the Rampage (3-12-0-0). The game is also a school day game in San Antonio meaning the action starts at 10:30 a.m. CT. You can listen while you work on TSN 1290, the Moose App, moosehockey.com/listenlive, or if you have an especially cool boss, stream the game live on AHLTV.

Manitoba comes into this morning’s game on a high after a bounce back win over Grand Rapids on Saturday night. That 6-2 victory started with a three-goal first period and involved scoring from up-and-down the Moose lineup, with a total of 11 forwards cracking the scoresheet. Head Coach Pascal Vincent acknowledged the concerted team effort as a building block.

“To have four lines producing and creating energy, and to be rewarded by scoring some goals that’s huge for what we do here. I think what It does is it builds some confidence for our team.”

The goal that began the onslaught came when Felix Girard set up Skyler McKenzie off the rush just over six minutes into the game. Girard, a former member of the Rampage, was proud of the resolve his team showed ending a two-game losing streak on Saturday.

“We showed a lot of character after coming back from the first game from Grand Rapids. We did the right adjustments and we were the better team in the second game, there. We need to carry that here in San Antonio.”

The last time the Moose saw San Antonio was a series in Winnipeg (Oct. 19 & 21) with Manitoba taking both games and outscoring the Rampage by a total of 10-4. San Antonio will key in on the line of Mason Appleton, C.J. Suess, and Kristian Vesalainen. That combination had a total of 13 points (5G, 8A) in those meetings.

Due to the early start time, both teams are facing an added challenge. Vincent sees the Rampage as a dangerous opponent due to their slow start.

“It’s going to be a challenge as far as keeping your routine on game day, but it’s the same for both teams. It’s going to be interesting how we’re going to react and how we’re going to come out. We expect a team that is going to be really hungry to win battles and bring pucks to the net. Every time you’re not going through a good period, you simplify things and that probably the best way to do it. I would expect they’re simplifying their game and really aggressive on the forecheck.”

Remember to visit moosehockey.com/ for full coverage of the Moose on their road trip, which continues tomorrow night against the Texas Stars.