PREVIEW: Going After the Wild
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: January 14th 2018
The Manitoba Moose (25-8-3-2) will try to turn yesterday’s dominant third period into a win over the Iowa Wild (17-12-6-3) today, on Polar Bear Jersey Day. With another hot start, it seemed like the Moose would get back into the win column on Saturday. Instead, they’ll look to this afternoon’s rematch against their Central Division rivals to break their three–game slump. Will the additions from the Jets be enough to get Manitoba rolling again? Go to moosehockey.com/tickets/, get your tickets, and find out.
AFTER 38
The Moose officially reached the halfway point of the season yesterday, posting a 25-8-3-2 record in their first 38 games. The mark was good for the best winning percentage (0.724) in the AHL at the mid-point and set a new franchise record for the club. Jack Roslovic (15G, 20A) and Mason Appleton (12G, 23A) lead the Moose with 35 points halfway through the season. Buddy Robinson owns the team’s goal-scoring lead with 17. Appleton holds the team-lead in assists. At +31, Cameron Schilling has the team’s best
plus/minus rating.
REINFORCEMENTS
Entering their bye-week, the Winnipeg Jets have reassigned three players to the Moose. Jack Roslovic, Brendan Lemieux and Michael Hutchinson all return to the Moose. Roslovic’s 35 points (15G, 20A) lead the Moose, while Brendan Lemieux has 24 points (9G, 15A) in 24 games and is on a five-game point streak in the AHL. Hutchinson is among the top goaltenders in the league with a 14-2-4 record supported by a 1.94 GAA and 0.942 SV%.
GETTING INTO GAMES
A total of six Moose players have appeared in every game this season. Mason Appleton, Buddy Robinson, Mike Sgarbossa, Sami Niku, Chase De Leo and Peter Stoykewych have played 38 games. Just one player suited up for all 76 games last season, defenceman Kevin Czuczman.
BIG GAME
Sami Niku recorded the most productive game of his young career yesterday. The Finnish defenceman recorded his first two-goal outing and added an assist for a season-high three-point game. With 27 points (8G, 19A) on the campaign, Niku has a seven-point lead atop the scoring list for rookie defencemen and is third among all AHL blue-liners.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Moose wrap up their six-game home streak next weekend (Jan. 19/20) against the Texas Stars. Stop by moosehockey.com/tickets/ to get your tickets.
