Moose look for road win in San Diego
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: November 11th 2016
Following a perfect four-game home stand, the Manitoba Moose (6-3-0-1) hit the road in search of their fifth straight win. Their quest begins tonight at the Valley View Casino Center against the San Diego Gulls (2-5-1-0).
Manitoba is one of the hottest teams in the AHL, sweeping both the Cleveland Monsters and the aforementioned San Diego Gulls. Manitoba took both games against the Gulls by one goal – winning 3-2 in OT (Oct. 28) and 5-4 in regulation (Oct.29).
Getting the Call
There are two new faces joining Manitoba for their five-game road trip. The team called up forwards Dan DeSalvo and Kale Kessy from the Tulsa Oilers (ECHL). DeSalvo is red hot, registering 13 points (6G, 7A) in 12 games. Last season DeSalvo played in 17 games for Manitoba, picking up 14 points (5G, 9A). Kessy has been a regular on the scoresheet too, posting eight points (3G, 5A) in seven contests. The Shaunavon, SK product spent 2015-16 with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL), tallying 12 points (7G, 5A) in 56 games.
Special Teams
A key to victory in this series will be special teams’ success. Manitoba’s 12th ranked powerplay unit (19.6%) goes against a Gulls penalty kill who has allowed 14 powerplay goals and is ranked second last in the AHL. The Moose have also found offense on the penalty kill, scoring three short-handed markers this season – good for second in the league. Manitoba has also killed off 80 per cent of their penalties.
Gulls and Goals
San Diego forwards Corey Tropp and Brandon Montour are off to a good start despite their team’s struggles. Tropp has ten points (3G, 7A) in eight games while Montour has eight points (2G, 6A) in as many contests. In the two games against Manitoba last month, Tropp had one goal while Montour was held off the scoresheet.
What’s Next?
Manitoba will take on San Diego for the final time this season on Saturday night (Nov. 12) at the Valley View Casino Center. Puck drop is set for 9:00 CT. You can listen to the game live on TSN 1290 or by logging onto moosehockey.com/listenlive.
