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Big comebacks - Manitoba Moose

Moose Tracks Blog

Big comebacks

By: CK Nakhwal | Published: February 12th 2016

Wednesday the Moose came roaring back from down 6-3 in the third period to tie the Texas Stars 6-6 and force overtime.

In the end it was decided in a shootout and Manitoba had to settle for a single point from a 7-6 loss. But, the comeback had me wondering about other comebacks Moose players might have experienced.

Friday after practice I talked to a handful of players asking to see if they had any experiences to share.

Several said they must have been through something like that roller-coaster 13-goal game before, but couldn’t think of anything to match it off the top of their heads.

However, two players were quick to bring up memorable comeback stories.

And, both are extra special because both of them have to do with winning league championships.

Two years ago Scott Kosmachuk was part of a terrific Guelph Storm team that won the OHL title in five games against the North Bay Battalion, but it’s how they earned that title that fits so well with today’s theme.

First, the Storm won Game 1 of the best-of-seven in overtime.

Then, took Game 3 with a winner in the last 30 seconds before the most dramatic finish of all.

Kosmachuk’s teammate Kerby Rychel tied Game 5 on a goal with just under five minutes to play in the third period, before notching the series clincher with just 26.3 seconds on the clock.

Drama aplenty and a clutch comeback for sure as Scott and his Guelph-mates won their way to a spot in the Memorial Cup.

Meanwhile, four years before that, Aaron Harstad was with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and they were up against the Fargo Force in the Clark Cup Final.

Harstad’s Gamblers (coached by current Tampa bench boss Jon Cooper) lost the first two games of the best-of-five, and did so on home ice.

So, it was off to Fargo where Green Bay scratched-and-clawed its way back into the series with not one win, but two!

The wins in Fargo set the table for a winner-take-all game in Green Bay and the Gamblers came through.

Current New York Islander Anders Lee was the hero for Green Bay with three points in the deciding game before nearly 8,500 fans back in Wisconsin.

Two pretty amazing comeback tales, both shared thanks to a spark from a Wednesday to remember at MTS Centre.

Sure the Moose didn’t win, but they sure put up a fight and playing with determination like that is what the club has been known for for years.

Manitoba is home to long-time rivals the Chicago Wolves Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and 14th at MTS Centre.

Both game start at 2pm with tickets available at moosehockey.com/tickets or through Ticketmaster.

You can also listen LIVE on moosehockey.com and TSN 1290 staring with the pre-game show at 1:45 pm both days.