Manitoba Moose: 21-5-1-2
Stat Leaders:
Goals: Jack Roslovic (14)
Assists: Mason Appleton (18)
Points: Roslovic (30)
Goalie Stat Leaders:
Wins: Michael Hutchinson (11)
Goals Against Average: Hutchinson (1.71)
Save Percentage: Hutchinson (.950)
Minutes: Comrie (844:23)
Special Teams: PP 22.5% (3rd), PK 89.1% (2nd)
The Manitoba Moose, also known as the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets, sit in top spot of the AHL standings with two games left before the holiday break. In their last 14 games, they had a nine-game win streak, a shootout loss, and are currently sitting no a four game win streak. Twenty-seven out of a possible 28 points, with the streak setting a new franchise record.
The four most recent points came against the the top team in the AHL, the Toronto Marlies. Make that the FORMER top team because after 29 games played, Manitoba’s 45 points are best in the league.
The Moose have been dominant in all facets of their game. I used that exact sentence last time, but it still holds up. Their power play is at 22.5% efficiency, which is third best in the league. Thirteen different players have scored with the man advantage for the Moose so far this season, with Mason Appleton leading the way with four power play goals.
They sit 2nd in the league in penalty killing, behind only Toronto, who stymied the Moose power play six times this weekend.
The goalies remain dominant. Eric Comrie, who is currently a little banged up, has a solid 2.35 GAA and .925 save percentage. Michael Hutchinson has been absolutely superb. Hutchinson has a 1.71 goals against average and a .950(!!!!!!) save percentage with a 11-1-2 record. Hutch was recently named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for stopping 66 of 68 Marlies shots in the two wins. He was also named CCM/AHL Goalie of the Month for his work during November.
On the offence side of the house, things are going equally well. Manitoba’s 113 goals this year are best in the league. Top prospect Jack Roslovic has 14 of those to lead the team, and was named CCM/AHL Player of the Month for November, as the Moose swept the awards that month. Another nine players with at least five. Captain Patrice Cormier has been scoring at a ridiculous rate, with 13 goals on 39 shots. Rookie Mason Appleton, Nic Petan, Brendan Lemieux and Buddy Robinson have also been holding more than their fair share of late.
In one last bit of news, Moose head coach Pascal Vincent will represent the Central Division at the 2018 AHL All Star Classic.
Moose Lines on December 17, 2017
FORWARDS
Nic Petan/ Jack Roslovic/ Mason Appleton
Brendan Lemieux / Patrice Cormier/ Buddy Robinson
Chase De Leo/ Michael Sgarbossa/ J.C. Lipon
Jansen Harkins/ Michael Spacek/ Cameron Maclise
DEFENCE
Cameron Schilling/ Sami Niku
Peter Stoykewych/ Charles-David Beaudoin
Kirill Gotovets/ Jan Kostalek
STARTING GOALIE
Michael Hutchinson
Last Seven Game Scores (Outscored Opponents 34-11)
Thursday, November 30
7 Manitoba Moose vs
1 Cleveland Monsters
Moose Goals: Spacek (2), De Leo (5), Appleton (8), Robinson (9), Julian Melchiori (3), Stoykewych (4), Roslovic (12)
Goalie: Hutchinson 34/35
Saturday, December 2
4 Manitoba Moose vs
0 Cleveland Monsters
Moose Goals: Melchiori (4), Roslovic (13), Spacek (3), Petan (3)
Goalie: Hutchinson 27/27
Saturday, December 9
3 Manitoba Moose vs
4 Milwaukee Admirals (SO)
Moose Goals: Schilling (3), Maclise (3), Appleton (9)
Goalie: Hutchinson 22/25
Sgarbossa scored in the 2-1 shootout loss.
Sunday, December 10
6 Manitoba Moose vs
1 Milwaukee Admirals
Moose Goals: Lipon (8), Cormier 2 (9), Sgarbossa (9), Lemieux (7), De Leo (6)
Goalie: Jamie Phillips 32/33
Friday, December 15
7 Manitoba Moose @
3 Belleville Senators
Moose Goals: Lemieux (8), Robinson (10), Petan (4), Cormier 2 (11), Niku (3), Schilling (4)
Goalie: Comrie 24/27
Saturday, December 16
2 Manitoba Moose @
1 Toronto Marlies
Moose Goals: Stoykewych (5), Cormier (12)
Goalie: Hutchinson (39/40)
Sunday, December 17
5 Manitoba Moose @
1 Toronto Marlies
Moose Goals: Petan (5), Robinson 2 (12), Roslovic (14), Cormier (13)
Goalie: Hutchinson 27/28
The Moose have a pair of home games against the San Antonio Rampage on Thursday and Friday, respectively, before an eight day break until the San Jose Barracuda come to town to wrap up the 2017 portion of the schedule with a pair of games on the 30th and 31st, including the traditional New Year’s Eve matinee game.
