Preview: Moose at Toronto – Nov. 24

Moose at Toronto – Coca-Cola Coliseum – 3 p.m. CT
Broadcast: moosehockey.com/listenlive, AHLTV

Same time, same channel, different result? That's what the Moose will look for today when they face off against the Toronto Marlies. Manitoba saw its seven-game winning streak halted by the AHL's top team by winning percentage yesterday afternoon. After a solid first period, the Moose surrendered two goals in the second period and two more in the opening couple minutes of the third. Despite trailing 4-0, Manitoba struck back with goals from Kristian Vesalainen and Skyler McKenzie 27 seconds apart to get within two. Unfortunately for the Moose, a power play following the goals came up empty and the Marlies locked things down from there in a 4-2 win for the hosts.

Kristian Vesalainen's tally gives him four on the year, matching his 22-game output from last season. The Finnish forward has also quietly put together a run of five points (3G, 2A) over his last six games. Vesalainen, along with Cole Maier, led the Moose with four shots each in yesterday's tilt. Add in their linemate JC Lipon and the group combined for 11 of Manitoba's 34 shots on Michael Hutchinson.

The Moose look to replicate what they did in the third period if they want to get back on a winning track. Through the opening 40 minutes, Manitoba generated just three shots around the crease. In the third period alone, they pumped five towards Hutchinson from the high-danger area and scored on one of them. Skyler McKenzie knows the team will be in need of a more complete game today if they want two points.

"We say it all the time, but just playing a full 60 minutes," offered McKenzie following the loss. "I think they didn't handle our forecheck as well as they wanted to tonight and I think we just have to get back to that."

In addition to the winning streak ending, Jansen Harkins saw his 10-game point streak snapped. The run was the AHL's third-longest streak so far this season, with Harkins collecting 18 points (3G, 15A) over the 10 games. Rounding out the streaks that saw their end, Mikhail Berdin’s run of allowing no more than two goals in a game closed out on Saturday. The Moose goaltender had allowed two goals just once over Manitoba’s seven-game winning streak, surrendering just six goals in that span.

The loss brought the Moose to the quarter-point of the 2019-20 season. The club posted a 10-9-0-0 record through its first 19 games. It was a mark dominated by streaks including their recent seven-game winning streak, and a six-game losing skid early in the season. Looking back to previous seasons, the Moose held a 9-9-1 mark at the quarter-point. In 2017-18, the team had a 12-5-1-1 record through 19 games on the way to posting its best first-half in franchise history.

Puck drop today goes at 3 p.m. CT at Coca-Cola Coliseum. You can tune in on moosehockey.com/listenlive and AHLTV starting at 2:45 p.m. CT.