PREVIEW: Last Dance with Stockton
By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: March 24th 2018
The Manitoba Moose (39-19-4-4) finish off their season series against the Stockton Heat (29-23-2-4) tonight. It’s also JC Lipon Mini Bobblehead Night, as the first 3,000 fans will receive a keepsake version of the Moose forward. Lipon made an impact in Thursday’s meeting with Stockton, scoring the game-winner in the 4-1 victory. Tickets are still available for tonight’s 7 p.m. (CT) puck drop at moosehockey.com/tickets/.
THE RACE IS ON
The Moose are down to their last 10 games of the regular season and hit the final weeks of the campaign with narrow leads atop the Central Division and Western Conference. In the division, Chicago is keeping pace just five points back with a game in hand on the Moose. The two teams face each other in the final game of the regular season on April 15 in Chicago. The conference picture is even tighter with the Tucson Roadrunners just 0.008 percentage points back of the Moose with nine games to go in their season. Manitoba's 'magic number' to clinch a playoff spot is down to 11 points.
ANOTHER RECORD
Mason Appleton didn't stay tied with Brenden Kichton for long, nabbing two assists to take sole possession of Manitoba's rookie assists record on Thursday. Appleton's 39th helper of the season on Jan Kostalek's second period goal pushed him ahead of Kichton's 2013-14 mark. Already owning the franchise record for points by a rookie, Appleton holds a nine-point lead in the AHL rookie scoring race with 59 points (19G, 40A) in 66 games. That mark also has the Green Bay, WI native alone in fourth in league scoring.
GUESS THE SCORE
The Moose and Heat have played three games this season. Each one of those contests have ended in 4-1 victories for Manitoba. In all three matchups, the Moose scored their fourth goal into an empty net. Nic Petan and Patrice Cormier have picked up points in all three contests. Stockton's Ryan Lomberg has points in two of the three meetings. Overall, the Moose are 6-1-0-0 in seven games ending with a 4-1 score this season.
40 MINUTE FINISHERS
The Moose and Heat came out of the first period tied 0-0 last night. It was the 17th time this season Manitoba has been even with an opponent after 20 minutes. In those games, the Moose have a record of 12-4-1-0. That mark leaves the Moose tied for seventh in the league for wins when tied after one period. Manitoba's five losses when tied after 20 minutes are the least in the AHL.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Tonight’s matchup is only game two of an eight game home stand, so make sure you head to moosehockey.com/tickets/ to help the team prepare for the playoffs. Next up is Rockford on Monday (March 26) in a Central Division showdown.
