Preview: Moose vs. Rockford – Dec. 31

Moose vs. Rockford – Bell MTS Place – 4 p.m. CT
Broadcast: moosehockey.com/listenlive, AHLTV
Tickets: moosehockey.com/tickets

The Moose and IceHogs wave good-bye to 2019 with the annual New Year's Eve game tonight at Bell MTS Place. The contests wraps up a tumultuous 2019 portion of the season for the Moose. The club looks to pull back within one game of the .500 mark and a point back of the IceHogs in the standings.

The Moose picked up a 3-2 win coming out of the holiday break against the IceHogs. Johnny Kovacevic, Kristian Reichel and Michael Spacek each tallied in the victory. Mikhail Berdin made 30 saves. The club improved throughout the contest. Despite only putting six shots on target in the third, the chances were there for Manitoba to extend the lead. A late push from the visitors nearly produced a tying goal, but Berdin was able to slam the door shut.

The Moose showed their depth on Sunday when it came to the offensive side of the puck. With Seth Griffith held off the scoresheet, Kovacevic picked up a goal and an assist, while Skyler McKenzie notched two assists. Kovacevic is now tied for the lead among Moose defenders with four goals. McKenzie matched his rookie totals from 2018-19 with his 16th point (6G, 10A) of the season, reaching the mark in 16 less games than last season.

New Year's Eve has been a winning tradition for the Moose. Manitoba has won nine straight games at home on Dec. 31, including last year's 4-1 win over Colorado. During the 2018-19 season, a good start out of the break also sparked a run for the Moose in which they earned points in 11 of 13 games. Logan Stanley believes the Moose need to find that desperation in their game.

"I think last year we played some desperate hockey and that's why we might have had some success," said the second-year pro. "I think that's how we have to kind of take that same approach and play desperate to try and get back into the playoffs. We're on the right track right now, but we need to string some wins together and get up there in the standings."

Don't forget to bring a non-perishable food item to this evening's game. It's the Shutout Hunger food drive in support of Winnipeg Harvest. Fans donating items will be entered to win some great prizes. Tickets for the game are limited, but still available at moosehockey.com/tickets.

Coverage of this evening's matchup on moosehockey.com/listenlive and AHLTV begins at 3:45 p.m. CT.