Preview: Two to Tango in Texas
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: January 5th 2019
Jan. 5, 2019 vs TEXAS STARS
The Manitoba Moose (13-18-2-0) wrap up their three-game road swing tonight against the Texas Stars (18-11-3-1). Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CT and can be heard at moosehockey.com/listenlive/, the Moose App, or streaming on AHLTV.
In the first part of the series, Texas scored a 3-1 victory thanks to two goals from Joel L’Esperance and 34 saves from Landon Bow.
L’Esperance also scored in the first meeting of the teams earlier this season, when the Moose beat the Stars 5-4 (Nov. 14). The three markers are the most by any Texas player against Manitoba, however, Travis Morin has been the biggest problem for the Moose. Morin racked up the third goal on Friday night as well as an assist, bringing him to four points (1G, 3A) between the two games this season.
Logan Shaw had a three-point night against the Stars on Nov. 14, but couldn’t find the scoresheet last night. Marko Dano notched Manitoba’s lone goal, his second in three games.
Landon Bow has struggled against Manitoba in his career, earning just his second career win over the club last night, in his sixth time playing them. Including a 27-save shutout last season, Bow has stopped 146 of 163 Moose shots all-time, good for a .896 SV% against the boys from Winnipeg.
The Stars’ backup, meanwhile, Philippe Desrosiers has never started a game against Manitoba, but did make two saves in relief of Bow during a 6-3 Moose win last spring (March 14).
There was a new face in Moose colours last night, Jimmy Oligny, reassigned by the Jets after a trade with Las Vegas earlier this week, made his debut with his new club. The fifth-year defenceman recorded a shot on goal and two penalty minutes in his first action with Manitoba.
Other players of note were JC Lipon and Peter Stoykewych. Lipon tied with Dano for the team lead with five shots in the game, while Stoykewych was right behind them with four. The Winnipeg-born defenceman is currently on pace for 180 shots total this season which would eclipse his previous career-high of 128, set in 2016-17.
All three players were a large part of the Moose getting a season-high 20 pucks on net in the third period of last night game. The club will try to continue that momentum when the puck drops tonight.
Next up for the Moose, they’ll head back home to begin a six-game home stand on Jan. 10 versus the Laval Rocket. Don’t forget Jan. 12 is Military Appreciation Night. You can still get tickets at moosehockey.com/tickets/.
