Preview: Moose vs. San Antonio – Dec. 21

Moose vs. San Antonio – Bell MTS Place – 6 p.m. CT
Broadcast: TSN 1290, moosehockey.com/listenlive, AHLTV

With their ridiculously road-heavy month in the books, the Moose return to Bell MTS Place for two games before the holiday break. Manitoba will have to earn its time off, though, as they host the hard-checking San Antonio Rampage in downtown Winnipeg this evening.

It's the Moose Holiday games this weekend. Fans can get their photo taken with Santa on the concourse and printed/digital copies will be provided. Special holiday drinks will also be available at select concessions.

On the ice, the Moose look to snap out of a two-game winless drought. The team finished up its five-game road swing with a pair of losses to the Colorado Eagles, falling to 1-4-0-0 on the trip. The frustrating swing for the club culminated in a 10-4 loss to Colorado. Just days later, the Moose hope some time on home ice can provide a spark heading into the holiday break.

"It's awesome to be able to play in front of your home crowd right before the break and try to get some momentum to try and carry off of, coming off the break," said Moose defenceman Nelson Nogier. "It's definitely going to be important for our group, and just refreshing to be back in our building and in front of our home fans."

The Moose and Rampage clashed one week ago in San Antonio as the Moose came away with a 4-2 victory. JC Lipon racked up three points (1G, 2A) while C.J. Suess (SHG), Kristian Reichel (GWG) and Emile Poirier (ENG) all tallied. Mikhail Berdin made 41 saves including 22 in the third period. The contest was feisty, though it didn't necessarily show through on the scoresheet with 32 combined penalty minutes between the clubs. Through four matchups this season, the Moose are 3-1-0-0 against San Antonio and the teams seem to be generating a certain... distaste for each other.

"I think it's good for us and I think it's good for San Antonio, I guess," Moose head coach Pascal Vincent stated. "There's some intensity between the two teams and they don't like each other. To me, it's going to be a challenge for sure, but at the same time I think it gives us some kind of a boost to get ready for that game."

Suess and Lipon have been carrying the load offensively for the Moose the past week, recording six points (3G, 3A) and five points (2G, 3A) respectively. Both picked up their first three-point games of the season during that stretch. Suess reached a new career high by reaching 13 points (8G, 5A) for the season. All three of his goals have come on special teams with two power play markers and a shorthanded tally.

Speaking of special teams, the Moose power play has been clicking in recent outings. Manitoba has five power play goals in its past four games. As a result, the Moose rank ninth in the AHL at 20.4 per cent on the man advantage. The Manitoba penalty kill will need to tighten up after surrendering four power play goals on 10 chances for Colorado on Wednesday. San Antonio features the league's third-ranked power play operating at 26.2 per cent efficiency.

Tickets for tonight's 6 p.m. CT matchup and tomorrow's 2 p.m. matinee are available at moosehockey.com/tickets. Coverage of this evening's tilt on TSN 1290, moosehockey.com/listenlive and AHLTV begins at 5 p.m. CT with Moose Weekly hosted by Austin Siragusa.