Moose host Wolves on Law Enforcement Appreciation Night

The Manitoba Moose (9-5-1-1) play their rematch against the Chicago Wolves (4-8-1-0) this evening in a 7 p.m. matchup.  It’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at Bell MTS Place tonight.  The Moose will wear specialty law enforcement themed jerseys which will be auctioned off during the game and online in the days following in support of the Manitoba Peace Officers Memorial Foundation.  Tickets for tonight’s game are available at moosehockey.com/tickets.

Manitoba got back in the win column with a 3-2 win over the Wolves on Wednesday and has victories in five of six.  The Wolves, meanwhile, have lost four straight following their defeat at the hands of the Moose. Jack Roslovic leads the Moose with 17 points (8G, 9A) in 16 games.  Teemu Pulkkinen sits atop the Wolves scoring list with 15 points (6G, 9A) in 13 games.

Looking back to Wednesday’s game, the Wolves opened the scoring just over a minute into the game, but Peter Stoykewych replied for the Moose late in the first.   The Moose turned the tables in the second period with Brendan Lemieux putting them in the lead early.  Chicago found a tying marker in the late stages of the frame, Stefan Matteau’s second tally of the game.  An early third period power play goal from Mason Appleton was all the offence Michael Hutchinson needed as the Moose goaltender made 42 saves in the contest to lead Manitoba to a 3-2 win.

Puck Stops at Hutch
Michael Hutchinson's 42 save performance matched the fourth-highest single-game total of his career.  Hutchinson hasn't had any shortage of work in his starts, facing over 30 shots in four of five games.  Hutchinson continues to climb the AHL leaderboard, tied for 10th among goaltenders with a 2.33 GAA and third in the league with a 0.933 SV%.  The Moose have recorded points in four straight Hutchinson starts, recording three wins and an overtime loss.

Happy Returns
Brendan Lemieux wasted no time in re-integrating himself into the Moose lineup on Wednesday.  The second-year pro scored a goal and added an assist on the game-winner in his first game back with the Moose since being re-assigned by Winnipeg.  Lemieux has four points (3G, 1A) in his last two AHL contests and seven points (4G, 3A) in five games with the Moose on the season.

Lipon Contributing
JC Lipon is up to eight points (3G, 5A) in 16 games this season with points in each of his last three games.  Lipon earned an assist on Manitoba's first goal on Wednesday, assisted on Patrice Cormier's shorthanded goal on Nov. 12 and scored the game winner against San Jose on Nov. 11. Lipon's eight points are tied for sixth among Moose skaters.  He also owns a share of the penalty minute lead with 18 on the season.

Home Sweet Home
With their win on Wednesday, the Moose have points in four straight games on home ice.  Their record over that stretch is 2-0-1-1 with the wins coming against Cleveland and Chicago and the extra time losses versus Belleville. Overall, the Moose are 2-1-1-1 on home ice and play 17 of their next 25 games at Bell MTS Place.

Up Next
The Moose are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. when they host the Laval Rocket for the first time ever.  Sunday’s game at Bell MTS Place is the annual “Share the Warmth” game presented by Red River Co-op in support of Siloam Mission.  Fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used item of winter clothing to donate to those in need this winter.  Tickets for the game are available at moosehockey.com/tickets.