Preview: Hockey Fights Cancer Game
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: November 24th 2018
Nov. 24, 2018 vs IOWA WILD
The Manitoba Moose (9-8-1-0) finish off their weekend series against the Iowa Wild (11-4-2-1) in the Hockey Fights Cancer Game today at 2 p.m. CT. As part of the event, the team will be selling signed mystery pucks in support of Camp Quality Manitoba, and a full team autograph alley after the game. If you’re in need of tickets, check out moosehockey.com/tickets.
The teams locked antlers less than 17 hours ago in downtown Winnipeg with the Moose pulling off the 4-3 overtime win.
Iowa outshot the Moose 40-33 but Eric Comrie stood tall, recording his fifth win in six starts at Bell MTS Place this season. Other Manitoba players were on trend as well, Logan Shaw scored contest’s first goal, his third goal and sixth point since joining the team five games ago. Michael Spacek registered two assists, bringing him to five over his last six appearances.
The second of Spacek’s helpers was in extra time when he set up Mason Appleton for the game-winner. Appleton not only leads the team in points (17), goals (8), and assists (9), but is tops in game-deciding tallies. His four game-winners on the campaign tie him for second in the AHL. In terms of team history, just 94 games into his Moose career, Appleton is tied for ninth alongside JC Lipon, John Albert, and Brandon Reid with 10 game-winning goals.
“First time I’ve heard that. I’m just going to keep playing hard and hoping to score. Whenever you can score and contribute it’s big for your team; first goal of the game, last goal of the game, whatever it is they’re all big goals.”
The other key to the Moose comeback win was the play of the penalty kill unit. Iowa had two power play chances in each of the first two periods, but were unable to capitalize. Head Coach Pascal Vincent appreciated the specialty teams contribution.
“When your five-on-five game is good your special teams, most of the time, will be good. We didn’t have a chance to see too many power plays tonight, but our PK was good; big shots being blocked, good sticks, good awareness against a very good power play.”
Fans can expect another physical, high-speed game in this season’s final meeting between Manitoba and Iowa, today.
The Moose head out on a trek through California for six games next week. While they’re on the road, you can follow the team on moosehockey.com. All games will be available on the Moose App, moosehockey.com/listenlive, or streamed live on AHLTV, with select matchups being carried on TSN 1290.
