Preview: Moose at Colorado – Dec. 18

Moose at Colorado – Budweiser Events Centre – 8:05 p.m. CT
Broadcast: TSN 1290, moosehockey.com/listenlive, AHLTV

The Moose will feature a different looking lineup when they play their rematch against the Colorado Eagles tonight. The Winnipeg Jets announced today the team has recalled forwards Mason Appleton and Jansen Harkins from Manitoba. The loss of two key players will certainly provide an added challenge tonight in Colorado.

Appleton tallied one assist in four games with the Moose following his assignment from the Jets. This is Harkins' first call-up to the NHL. The forward is enjoying a breakout season that has him up to 31 points (7G, 24A) in just 30 games. That mark matches Harkins previous career high in less than half the season. The CCM/AHL Player of the Month for November is third in the AHL in points and leads the league in assists.

"To me that's really, really exciting and that's why we exist," said Moose head coach Pascal Vincent. "Pushing those guys and working with those guys on a daily basis. To see the growth of Jansen Harkins and how he's been working since day one. He's been consistent in his work ethic and in his growth. He's been a guy that has spent a lot of time watching video, a lot of time on the ice before or after practices and he just kept improving."

The good news for the Moose is their offence in the past few games hasn't exactly centred around the duo heading back to Winnipeg early. Harkins had a goal and two assists in two games against Texas and Appleton tallied his lone assist in his second game with the Moose. So who has been doing the damage? Over the past two contests that nod goes to JC Lipon and C.J. Suess. Lipon racked up a season-high three points (1G, 2A) against San Antonio in the win, and Suess posted a career-high three-point (1G, 2A) outing last night. Suess scored a power play marker and Lipon set up one of Manitoba's power play tallies last night. So they've been getting it done five-on-five and on special teams.

Last night's loss was a frustrating one for the Moose. The team felt it heavily out-chanced its opposition and actually grabbed the lead twice in the second period. Puck management was the issue for Manitoba as four of the five Eagles tallies started out on Moose sticks in the defensive zone. Moose defenceman Nelson Nogier says the team lost the simplicity that is crucial to its game.

"This team we are playing against, they are fast team and they transition the puck really well," Nogier explained. "When we got away from managing the puck and doing the simple things that make us successful, they capitalized and put the puck in the back of our net."

The Moose and Eagles drop the puck at 8:05 p.m. CT this evening. Coverage on TSN 1290, moosehockey.com/listenlive and AHLTV start at 7:45.