PREVIEW: Taking on the IceHogs

The Manitoba Moose (39-20-4-4) will try to hold back the Rockford IceHogs (34-25-4-4) tonight at Bell MTS Place. The Moose still a little breathing room at the top of the Central, but Chicago and the rest of the division are creeping closer. Amongst the teams fighting for a spot in the post season are the IceHogs. Rockford is 9-3-1-1 in its last 14 games, making them one of the hottest teams in the AHL. You can still get tickets for tonight’s 7 p.m. (CT) puck drop by visiting moosehockey.com/tickets/.

ROAD SERIES
The Moose and IceHogs have been poor house guests in each other's rinks the past two seasons. In the last 10 meetings between the clubs, the road team holds a record of 8-2-0-0. The Moose won both meetings between the clubs in Rockford earlier this season, 8-1 and 4-3 in overtime. They also won three of four matchups at BMO Harris Bank Center in 2016-17. Meanwhile the IceHogs went 3-1-0-0 at Bell MTS Place last season.

ROSTER MOVES
The Moose have recalled defenceman Jake Kulevich and forward Elgin Pearce from the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL). Kulevich has appeared in 26 games with the Moose this season, posting one assist. The Marblehead, Mass. native has two helpers in eight games with Jacksonville. Pearce leads the Icemen with 50 points (23G, 27A) in 61 games. The Port Coquitlam, B.C. product has one goal in three games with Manitoba.

CONSISTENT SCORER
Sami Niku's 14th goal of the season on Saturday puts the rookie defender into second among AHL defencemen. Niku has been the model of consistency on the offensive side of the puck this season, not going more than four games without recording a point. With 46 points (14G, 32A) in 67 games, the Haapavesi, FIN native is two points away from matching Brenden Kichton's franchise record for points by a rookie defencemen set in 2013-14.

USPORTS CONNECTION
Forward Cam Maclise and Francis Beauvillier both picked up assists on Saturday. The two are products of the Canadian collegiate ranks with Maclise skating at Mount Royal University and Beauvillier from the University of New Brunswick. With Elgin Pearce's (University of Calgary) recall, the Moose roster now features five players who came up through USports. Defenceman Charles-David Beaudoin (University of Quebec Trois-Rivieres) and forward Brett Welychka (Carleton University) round out the skaters. Off the ice, assistant coach Marty Johnston and video coach Richard Bue previously coached at Carleton University.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Rockford and Manitoba will play the rematch on Wednesday night, their final meeting of the season. The tough week continues, with back-to-back games against the AHL-leading Toronto Marlies on the horizon Friday and Saturday. For tickets, head to moosehockey.com/tickets/.