The Manitoba Moose (10-9-1-0) got a hat trick from Logan Shaw to power a 5-1 win over the San Diego Gulls (7-7-1-1) in the clubs’ first meeting since 2016. Manitoba came out firing in the first period, outshooting San Diego by a 13-6 count in the opening frame. The Moose nearly started the scoring early on a couple of partial breakaways 
from Logan Stanley and Alexis D’Aoust, but Gulls netminder Kevin Boyle had the answer. Manitoba did eventually get things going with 2:14 left in the frame. Logan Shaw busted in off the right wing and slid the puck past Boyle for a power play marker to give Manitoba a 1-0 lead through one period of play.
Eric Comrie made sure the Moose stayed in front, turning away San Diego’s Sam Steel on a shorthanded breakaway just over three minutes into the second. That save proved important as later in the power play, Marko Dano set up Shaw for his second tally of the contest. Comrie took the spotlight from there, shutting down a bevy of San Diego chances, keeping the Moose in front by a pair. Shaw completed his natural hat trick with 6:09 to go in the period, flicking a Dano rebound past Boyle for another power play goal. Less than three minutes later, Peter Stoykewych slipped a wrister to the back of the net to push the Moose into the third with a 4-0 lead.
The Moose advantage grew by another tally 7:42 into the third period as Michael Spacek slid a perfect feed to Emile Poirier who pounded a one-timer to the back of the net. Comrie continued to stymie the Gulls, making nine saves in the period. Unfortunately for the Moose netminder, Luke Schenn broke up the shutout bid with just 18 seconds left in the contest. Comrie’s 31 saves on the night helped backstop the Moose to a 5-1 victory.
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