WINNIPEG – Its “Beat The Winter Blues” Day at MTS Centre and the Moose hope to put an end to the prolonged bout of blues they’ve been feeling lately. Sporting a league worst 29 pts and a 1-6-2-1 record in their last 10 games, the Moose face a tall task against the league best Toronto Marlies (37-8-3).
The Moose came out quick and drew first blood with A Chas De Leo marker just 47 seconds into the game. Their pressure continued, racking up 11 shots on goals before the Marlies figured out where the Moose goal was located. Once they did, the tide turned. A needless slashing call against JC Lipon put the Marlies on the power play and they wasted no time capitalizing with Kasperi Kapanen putting one past Eric Comrie at the 10:11 mark. Just over 5 minutes later, Victor Loov floated one past a screened Comrie. The 1st period ends with the Marlies up 2-1, despite being outshot 13-11 by the Moose
The second frame started with a faceoff violation to the Moose’ Ryan Olsen and the Marlies wasted no time taking advantage with Connor Brown burying a power play goal just 20 seconds in. The Moose got that one back less than a minute later as Austen Brassard let a wrister go from the top of the faceoff circle to beat Garret Sparks. The period went back and forth with neither team really dominating, until John Albert one-timed a gorgeous JC Lipon set up on the power play at the 16:24 mark to even things up 3-3 going into the 3rd period.
The Moose started the third on the power play with Chase De Leo banging home a rebound off a scramble to put the Manitoba side up once again. The Marlies tied it up on a PP goal by Nikita Soshnikov at 9:48 of the period setting off some pugilistic activities – these teams don’t like each other much and 8 meetings will usually result in some harsh feelings. After the Marlies’ Matt Frattin got tagged for goalie interference, the Moose cashed in on the power play on a JC Lipon deposit from the slot with 5:25 left, putting the Moose up 5-4. William Nylander made sure the lead was brief, putting one in the top corner past Comrie with just 3:53 remaining. Regulation ends in a 5-5 draw with the Marlies holding a 42-41 advantage in shots.
The 3-on-3 was back and forth with neither team getting a quality chance until Nic Petan buried a sweet cross ice set up from Josh Morrisey with just 50 seconds remaining to give the Moose the well-earned victory. Standout for the Moose this night was JC Lipon with a goal and 4 assists.
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