Fast Facts: Moose vs. Chicago – April 6

The Manitoba Moose and Chicago Wolves clash on one of the most important weeks of the season for both teams. The Moose enter today's game (2 p.m.) with a seven point lead over Chicago in the race for the final playoff spot in the Central Division. Manitoba is coming off a pair of losses in Abbotsford this week, while the Wolves lost to Grand Rapids in overtime on Wednesday.

It's Autism Acceptance Day at Canada Life Centre, featuring toned down game presentation elements, a sensory room and more. Tickets are available at MooseHockey.com/TICKETS.

Finding Twine

Jeffrey Viel tallied a goal in Wednesday’s contest in Abbotsford. The forward’s goal was his 15th of the campaign, which ties the previous career-high he set in 2022-23 when Viel was a member of the San Jose Barracuda. The winger, who inked a one-year contract with Winnipeg in 2023, has registered 33 points (15G, 18A) in 62 games and ranks sixth in Moose scoring. Viel has set new career-high marks in assists, points, power play goals and game-winning tallies this season. Over his AHL career with San Jose and Manitoba, the winger has notched 126 points (60G, 66A) in 274 games.

Roster Moves

The Moose announced Thursday the team signed defenceman Dylan Anhorn to a one-year contract for the 2024-25 season. The Calgary, Atla. product, who joins the Moose on an amateur tryout agreement, recorded 33 points (6G, 27A) in 38 games this season for the NCAA’s St. Cloud State University. The defender produced 94 points(24G, 70A) in 127 career NCAA contests split between Union College and St. Cloud State. The Winnipeg Jets also announced the team reassigned defenceman Dmitry Kuzmin from the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals to the Moose. Kuzmin has three points (1G, 2A) in 15 contests for Manitoba this season.

Postseason Push

Manitoba and Chicago meet for the final two times in the regular season in a series that features massive playoff implications for both sides. Manitoba enters the Saturday contest standing fifth in the Central Division with 61 points. Chicago ranks seventh with 54 points and a game in hand. Manitoba, who has made the playoffs in consecutive seasons, plays its final seven games of the regular season against Central opposition.  The next four are all at home against both Chicago and Iowa, who are chasing the Moose in the standings. Entering Saturday’s pivotal contest, Manitoba’s magic number to clinch a post-season spot sits at 10 points.

Follow the Leader

Brad Lambert, in the midst of his rookie AHL season, paces the Moose over the campaign with 49 points (19G, 30A) through 58 contests. The Lahti, Finland product’s season has placed him in good standing among Manitoba’s all-time rookie leaders. Lambert’s 19 goals place him in a three-way tie for ninth on the list. Lambert, who ranks second on the team with six power play goals, finds himself tied for sixth on the rookie leaderboard. The 2022 first rounder’s 30 assists place the pivot sixth, while the 49 points jumps Lambert up into sole position of the fourth overall, while one more point will place him among the top-three.

Who's Trending?

Tyrel Bauer scored a goal against Abbotsford on Wednesday. The 2020 Winnipeg Jets sixth round pick, is now up to six points (2G, 4A) in 54 contests. Bauer, who suited up in his 100th AHL game on April 2, matched his rookie goal output and is one point away from matching his previous career-high of seven that he achieved in 2022-23.