Preview: Moose vs. Texas – Nov. 11

Moose vs. Texas Stars – Bell MTS Place – 4 p.m. CT
Tickets: moosehockey.com/tickets
Broadcast: moosehockey.com/listenlive, AHLTV

The Moose return home to start a four-game stand at Bell MTS Place. In a twist of scheduling, all four games will be against the two teams hailing from the Lone Star State. The Texas Stars lead things off today in a 4 p.m. matchup in downtown Winnipeg. The Moose host their Remembrance Day game today, so the club will be wearing military themed jerseys which will be auctioned in support of Soldier On.

The Moose returned to Winnipeg with a pair of wins in their back pocket. Mikhail Berdin's historic weekend headlined 4-0 and 3-0 wins in Rockford and Chicago. Berdin made a total of 67 saves, becoming the first Manitoba goaltender to record shutouts on back-to-back nights. He's the first to record shutouts in back-to-back games since Connor Hellebuyck in 2015-16. It was certainly a bounce back effort from the young netminder after allowing five goals in two periods of work on Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Jansen Harkins and Sami Niku continue their consistent production entering the home stand. Both have points in every game this month as the Moose have won four of five to start November. Manitoba is averaging 4.6 goals per game this month with the power play's recent success providing a strong backing. The team has scored seven times on the man advantage in the past five games. They were held off the board for the first time this month in Chicago.

A quick start will be crucial for the Moose today. Manitoba has four of its first five wins of the season when the team opens the scoring. The team is also 4-0-0-0 when leading after one period of play.

While the Moose have been surging this month, it's been a tough start for Texas. The Stars have lost three straight including a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Colorado Eagles on Saturday. That said, it's a different Texas squad than the Moose faced on opening weekend. The additions of centres Joel L'Esperance and rookie Rhett Gardner along the way give the Stars a more potent group up the middle. L'Esperance scored 30 goals in just 54 games last season and has three in nine games this campaign.

Puck drop for today's game goes at 4 p.m. There are still tickets available, which you can purchase at moosehockey.com/tickets. The first 3,000 fans through the doors will receive a Canada Remembers pin. The Royal Canadian Mint will also be on the concourse offering a toonie swap for a limited edition DDay 75th anniversary toonie.