Preview: Going After the Gulls
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: March 19th 2019
March 19, 2019 vs Texas Stars
The Manitoba Moose (30-27-4-2) get another crack at the San Diego Gulls (32-20-3-3), tonight at 7 p.m. CT in a rematch of Sunday’s loss. In the final outing of a six-game homestand, the Moose sit four points behind the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division with 13 games remaining. Tickets are available at moosehockey.com/tickets.
Manitoba fell 4-1 to San Diego on Sunday afternoon, with Kevin Boyle stopping 38 of 39 shots for the Gulls. San Diego defenceman Jake Dotchin scored twice extending a career-long three-game goal streak (4G), though he has only scored 15 goals in 169 career AHL games.
Head Coach Pascal Vincent explained what went wrong in his post-game comments.
“We didn’t manage the puck properly. They put a lot of pressure on our ‘D’ and their forecheck was really good in the first period. We had to keep it a little more simple. We were looking for the next play and that created some frustration. It took us a little bit of time to get out of that. Early in the second period, it started to get better, and then with seven/eight minutes left in the second period we started to play the way we’re supposed to play. The first period cost us the game.”
The Moose will have to figure out a way to slow down a varied Gulls attack that averages 3.55 goals per game, the second-highest mark in the AHL. Vincent commented that San Diego’s depth is the challenge, as the club was able to roll all four lines on Sunday.
Further exploration of San Diego’s scoring suggests that Manitoba should be able to capitalize in the second period. The Gulls are the fifth-highest scoring AHL team in the first (70) and highest scoring in the third (77) but the third-lowest scoring in the second period (55). The team has also given up 70 second period scores this season, their only negative goal differential in a period by period breakdown.
Jimmy Oligny set up Ryan White for the lone Moose goal, increasing his own point streak to three games (1G, 3A). The veteran defender has been a key addition for the Moose in their push for the playoffs, with nine points (2G, 7A) in 21 games with Manitoba. Oligny is also four games away from his 300th AHL contest.
The St. Michel, Que. born d-man said the loss in game one of the series was a wakeup call for tonight’s match-up.
“Every game is so huge for us right now, we’re pushing for a playoff spot. I don’t think it’s a confidence matter. Of course, a game like that is going to shake the group a little bit because it wasn’t a good game for us. It’s just a slap in the face and we’re just going to learn from it and be better next time.”
The pre-game show with Mitch Peacock at 6:45 p.m. CT on TSN 1290, moosehockey.com/listenlive/, the Moose App, and streamed live on AHLTV. Beginning on Friday, March 22, the Moose will play their next five games on the road against Colorado, Texas and San Antonio.
