Moose and Wild open back-to-back at MTS Centre
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: November 22nd 2016The Manitoba Moose (7-6-0-1) return to the friendly confines of MTS Centre tonight (7:00 p.m. CT) as they open a two-game set with the Iowa Wild (6-10-0-1).
Recap
Tonight’s game will be the first in Winnipeg for the Moose since Nov. 5 after a four-game Pacific Division road swing. The trip saw Manitoba drop two games in San Diego (Nov. 11,12) but then get back in the win column with 4-1 matinee triumph in Bakersfield. They wrapped up the trip in Tucson on Friday (Nov. 18), dropping a 5-2 decision to the Roadrunners.
Flash Back
This isn’t the first time the Moose and Wild have met this season. Manitoba got their 2016-17 campaign started with two games (Oct. 14,15) on the road in Des Moines, IA. The Moose got off to a good start against their division foes, taking their first game 3-1. Game two featured a different ending for the Moose, as the Wild were able pull off a 3-2 come-from-behind shootout victory.
Keep it Five-on-Five
A key for the Moose tonight will to be remain disciplined against a Wild team who has scored 12 powerplay goals this season. Manitoba has only surrendered one even strength goal in the last seven periods dating back to their game against San Diego on Nov. 12. The lone five-on-five marker came in Friday’s (Nov. 18) game against the Roadrunners in the third period. In Wednesday’s 4-1 win in Bakersfield, Manitoba didn’t surrender a single even strength goal as the Condors’ one marker came on the powerplay.
Familiar Faces
Manitoba hockey fans are no stranger to Wild veterans, Maxime Fortunus and Jordan Schroeder. Fortunus was a fan-favourite in Winnipeg for four seasons, playing in 325 regular season and playoff games with Manitoba Moose 1.0. So far this season the 33-year-old has four points (1G,3A). Schroeder has helped lead the offensive charge for the Wild this year – the Prior Lake, MN product has 10 points (4G, 6A) in 14 games. Early in his career the 26-year-old suited up in 92 Manitoba Moose 1.0 contests, picking up 49 points (17G, 31A).
What’s Next?
It’s a quick turnaround for Manitoba as they’ll host the Wild once again on Wednesday night (Nov. 23) at 7:00 p.m. CT. For tickets to all Manitoba Moose home games, visit moosehockey.com/tickets.