Fast Facts: Moose vs. Rockford – April 16

The Moose are back on home ice for the first time since clinching a spot in the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs. Manitoba dropped a 2-1 overtime decision in Chicago on April 9, but the single point was enough to earn a berth in the post-season. Now the Moose look toward sealing up second place in the division and home ice advantage in the first round. Tickets for today's 2 p.m. game against the Rockford IceHogs are available at MooseHockey.com/TICKETS. Coverage of the matinee affair begins at 1:45 p.m. CT on CJOB.com/sports, AHLTV and the Manitoba Moose App.

Welcome to Winnipeg!

The Winnipeg Jets announced they have agreed to terms with draft–pick forwards Henri Nikkanen and Daniel Torgersson. The pair of forwards both signed professional tryout contracts with the Moose and will join the squad for the remainder of the season. Nikkanen tallied 12 points (7G, 5A) in 60 games with Liiga’s Lahden Pelicans, while Torgersson registered 17 points (7G, 10A) in 40 games for Sweden’s AIK this season. Nikkanen was drafted by the Jets in the fourth round, 113th overall, in the 2019 NHL Draft, while Torgersson was selected  by the Jets in the second round, 40th overall, in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Firing on All Cylinders

Leon Gawanke’s late goal in Saturday’s contest against Chicago was a big moment for the Moose. The defenceman tied the contest with his ninth of the season and enabled the Moose to send the contest into overtime. Despite the extra time loss, Manitoba picked up a point and clinched their berth in the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs. Gawanke has been a large part of the Moose success this season and has tallied 34 points (9G, 25A) in 58 games. The defenceman leads the Moose blueline in points and sits third in team scoring on the campaign. In addition, the Berlin, Germany product is riding a two-game point streak and has four points (1G, 3A) over his past five games.

Stepping Up

C.J. Suess recorded an assist in Manitoba’s overtime loss against Chicago on Saturday. The forward, who has recently been pressed into first line duties, has tallied 21 points (9G, 12A) in 41 games and is currently on a two-game point streak that has seen him record two points (1G, 1A) in that span. Suess is one assist shy of tying his previous career high of 13, which he set back in the 2019-20 season with the Moose. The Forest Lake, Minn. product has also set a new career high in terms of shots on goal and has fired the puck at the net 88 times.

Home Ice Advantage

Entering today’s contest, Manitoba and Rockford have faced each other five times this season. Whoever has been the home side in those contests has come away with a regulation win. In Manitoba, the Moose have outscored the IceHogs by a 12-5 mark and outshot them by a count of 78-55. When Manitoba played in Rockford, the IceHogs have outscored them 13-6 despite being outshot 115-64. The goaltenders save percentages are one of the key differences. In Winnipeg, Moose netminders have a .909 save percentage while Rockford goalies sit at .846. Meanwhile in Rockford, the Moose goaltenders have a combined .822 save percentage up against a sparkling .948 mark for the IceHogs.

Who's Trending?

Johnathan Kovacevic has recorded 27 points (11G, 16A) in 56 games for the Moose this season. The defenceman, who is in his third full Moose season, has set new career highs in every major statistical category. Kovacevic also leads the team with a plus-15 rating and sits tied for third in goals by a defenceman across the entire AHL this season.