Moose continue road trip in Rockford
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: December 17th 2016
For the second time this season the Manitoba Moose (11-10-2-2) head to BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, IL, where they’ll take on the IceHogs (7-13-2-3) tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Last Game
The Moose are coming off a two-game set in Charlotte earlier this week (Dec. 13, 14) where they dropped two tight battles with the Checkers. On Wednesday Dan DeSalvo and JC Lipon found the back of the net, but a goal 17 seconds into the extra frame gave Charlotte a 3-2 OT win.
Flash Back
The last time these two teams squared off on Nov. 30, Manitoba came out on the right end of a 5-4 shootout battle. It was a wild game, featuring four different Moose goal scores and included a 32-save performance by Eric Comrie. The 21-year-old also stopped all seven Rockford shootout attempts while Brendan Lemieux netted the shootout winner.
Roster Shuffle
Manitoba will be without their leading scorer as Jack Roslovic is off to USA Hockey’s World Junior Hockey Championship team try-outs. The Columbus, OH product has been great up front for Manitoba tallying 19 points (8G, 11A) in 25 games. After a lengthy absence, Scott Kosmachuk returned to the Moose lineup on Tuesday (Dec. 13) for the first time since Nov. 18. It didn’t take the forward long to get into the mix, picking up an assist in the series vs. Charlotte, giving him four assists in his last six contests. It appears Kyle Connor is fitting in nicely with the Moose after being re-assigned by the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 9. Connor had an assist on Wednesday, bumping his total to three points (1G, 2A) in four AHL games.
Rockford’s Story
Not much has changed for Rockford since the two teams last met on Nov. 30. The IceHogs fill the eighth spot in the Central Division having gone 0-5-1-3 in their last ten games. Finding the net has been a struggle at times for the IceHogs, only averaging 2.24 goals per game. The Moose will need to keep an eye on Rockford’s Spencer Abbott, Tanner Kero and Mark McNeill as they all lead their squad with 15 points this season.
What’s Next?
It’s a mad dash to the holiday break for the Manitoba Moose as they head to Des Moines, IA for a back-to-back series (Dec. 18,19) beginning tomorrow afternoon versus the Iowa Wild. Tomorrow’s puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. CT. To listen to all Manitoba Moose road games, visit mooshockey.com/listenlive. Be sure to tune in 15 minutes before puck drop for the pre-game show with Mitch Peacock for all the latest updates and analysis.
