WINNIPEG – The ridiculously hot Manitoba Moose sit comfortably in first place overall in the American Hockey League and are riding an 18-1-1 record over their last 20 games. Led by AHL leading scorer Jack Roslovic and the stellar goaltending of Eric Comrie and Michael Hutchinson, the Moose show no signs of letting up but are likely looking forward to a bit of a break for the holidays. Tonight’s opponent is the San Antonio Rampage who’re going to be in a surly mood after the Moose thumped them 7-2 last night.
The Moose strike first at 9:10 of the opening frame as Brendan Lemieux squeezed one through Spencer Martin’s pads after an early Christmas gift giveaway by Felix Gerard. T
he power play marker was unassisted. The Moose pounced on another Rampage miscue in their own zone as Jack Roslovic’s steal is deposited by Mason Appleton to make it 2-0. Nic Petan with the other assist at the 13:04 mark. Things started to get a bit chippy toward the end of the frame setting up a spirited duel for the remaining 40 minutes of regulation. Moose outshot the Rampage 13-6.
The second period had both teams tightening up defensively with very few quality chances either way. Some chippy play crept into the game with each team taking minor penalties but power plays solved nothing. San Antonio thought they had finally gotten on the board but Brendan Ranford clearly put it in with a high stick and the goal was waved off. Scary moment for the Moose as Michael Hutchinson took a shot up high which seemed to stun the Manitoba goaltender but he was able to shake it off and continue. The Rampage finally broke through on the power play as Chris Butler floated a shot past a screened Hutchinson to close the gap to 2-1 setting up what should be a feisty third period. Butler’s unassisted goal came at 18:55 on the power play. San Antonio carried the play in the second outshooting the Moose 20-5.
The Moose start the third with the decided edge in play determined to extend their impressive record and not enter the holiday break on a sour note. It’s clear these teams have no problem staying on the naughty list till the last minute – they clearly don’t like each other and refuse to give an inch. A late minor penalty to Alex Belzile gave the Moose the opportunity to put this game away but they couldn’t capitalize. San Antonio pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker but a careless boarding penalty to A.J. Greer killed the pressure. Hutchinson had to come up big on a last minute breakaway and Mason Appleton put the game away into the empty net so salt away a 3-1 Moose win. Shots ended 37-31 in San Antonio’s favour. Moose next action is December 30 and 31 when San Jose Barracuda come to Winnipeg.
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