The Manitoba Moose and Iowa Wild meet at Bell MTS Place in the first of two games this weekend after the Moose experienced some rare adversity earlier in the week. Grand Rapids came to town and made off with a couple of wins against the Moose who still cling to first place overall in the AHL by a sungle point over the Toronto Marlies. It won’t be any easier for Manitoba who are missing G Michael Hutchinson, F Jack Roslovic and F Brendan Lemieux (recalled to Winnipeg – NHL) and F J.C. Lipon and D Cameron Schillng (injury).
Manitoba got the start they were looking for with some excellent puck control and crisp passing to control the play for the first part of the opening period. Iowa kept the home side off the scoresheet with a few timely saves from goaltender Steve Michalek. A spirited tilt between Darren Kramer and Iowa’s Carson Soucy seemed to inspire the Moose as they capitalized on the power play, Sami Niku drilled a point shot to the top corner after just 5 seconds with the man advantage assisted by Patrice Cormier and Michael Spacek. An errant stick from Michael Sgarbossa ended up with a 5 minute major and game misconduct for the Moose forward putting Iowa on an extended power play. They cashed in on a nice passing play to Cal O’Rielly who deposited the puck past a helpless Eric Comrie. Assists went to Sam Anas and Justin Kloos. The period ended with shots even at 12-12.
The Wild came out on fire in the second period with three goals by the 4:12 mark by Landon Ferraro, Kyle Rau and Sam Anas. The Moose were clearly rattled and called a timeout to settle down the troops. Captain Cormier tried to light a fire by fighting Iowa’s Nick Seeler, but that didn’t do the trick either. The play was pretty even for the balance of the period, but the damage was done as Iowa took a commanding 4-1 lead to the intermission. Shots after 2 periods were 24-23 in favour of the Wild.
Nic Petan gave notice the Moose were still alive with a highlight reel power play goal from flat on his belly, deflecting a Buddy Robinson pass to the top corner past Michalek at the 17 second mark. Iowa wasted no time answering back as Justin Kloos took it hard to the net and beat Eric Comrie to restore the 3 goal lead for the Wild at 1:56. That was it for Comrie as Jamie Phillips came on in relief.ut the Moose weren’t done yet as Sami Niku snuck one through a crowd for his second of the day, Cormier and Stoykowich with the assists at 4:38. The Moose kept coming with Brody Sutter pulling them within one after some excellent pressure in the Iowa zone – assists go to Poolman and Melchiori at 13:53. The Moose kept the pressure going but ran out of time, dropping the decision 5-4 to the Wild. Final shots were 48-34 in favour of the Moose.
Despite an inspired third period, Manitoba is clearly reeling from the loss of essentially their five best players including their 3 AHL all-stars but they don’t have time to dwell on their misfortune as these teams renew hostilities in less than 24 hours. Game time Sunday is 2 pm.
You must be logged in to post a comment.