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Nov. 1 Practice Report - Moose, Spacek Impress On Road - Manitoba Moose

Moose Tracks Blog

Nov. 1 Practice Report – Moose, Spacek Impress On Road

By: CK Nakhwal | Published: November 1st 2018

Yesterday was a travel day for the Manitoba Moose as they flew home from Chicago.  Today the team was back on ice for a workout at the club’s west end practice facility – well aware things weren’t about to slow down.

A busy stretch continues for the Winnipeg Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate tomorrow night at Bell MTS Place as the Moose take on the Chicago Wolves in game one of a two-game set.

The contest comes hot on the heels of a three-game road trip that saw Manitoba win the last two by 2-1 scores.  The first of those wins came in Rockford in a shootout Sunday before edging Milwaukee in overtime Tuesday to come home 2-1-0-0 on their travels.

Centre Michael Spacek picked up two assists in Tuesday’s victory over the Admirals and the second-year pro likes what he’s seeing these days.

“Yeah, for sure – last two games I think we played really well (with) everyone doing the best job (they can) on the ice and yeah big wins for us.”

The Moose are finding ways to win even though they’re not scoring much.  It's a fact not lost on Spacek but the former Red Deer Rebels says it’s all about making the goals they score count.

“It doesn’t matter. (What’s) important is the win, so if we score five goals or two goals it doesn’t matter.  What’s important is two points.”

Spacek has had several good scoring chances since his return from the Czech Republic, where he recently attended to a family matter, including an opportunity to end the game in OT in Milwaukee.

But, even though he saw that chance go for naught – he stayed with the play and set up Mason Appleton’s deciding goal.

“That was an unreal pass from Mason, and then I had an empty net and I didn’t score.  (Then) I pass him and he got empty net and he score so it was good!”

Despite their recent success, Moose head coach Pascal Vincent says his team will have to be at its best to find a way past the Wolves.

“Chicago is a very good team, and they had a good season last year.  They had a slower start, but they finished strong and I think they kept that momentum starting this season. This year, they’re a really good team that can make you pay if you’re not really focused on doing the right things on the ice – especially defensively.”

Chicago finished first in the Central Division each of the last two seasons, but Manitoba took advantage of a strong start last year to win six of the eight games between the teams.

Mason Appleton leads the Moose in scoring with nine points (5G, 4A) this season after notching the OT winner in Milwaukee Tuesday night.

The Moose clash with the Wolves Friday night at 7 p.m. CT.  Saturday's matchup goes at 6 p.m. and it's Video Game Day.  Don't forget to bring new or gently used winter clothing items for the Share the Warmth winter clothing drive, presented by Red River Co-op.  For ticket information visit moosehockey.com/tickets.