The Manitoba Moose picked up five points in a four-game homestand against two opponents they’re all too familiar with.
The action started Tuesday morning for a school day game where the Moose won 5-2 against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Grand Rapids fought back on the following day on Wednesday for a 3-2 shootout win. Waiting for another back-to-back series were the Calgary Wranglers who the Moose beat on Saturday’s contest 6-5 and then dropped Sunday’s game 3-2.
It was a busy week for the Moose as they split the week between three goaltenders, Domenic DiVincentiis started two games, Kaapo Kahkonen started once before being traded for Winnipeg, Manitoba-born Chris Driedger who also started once at home.
The Moose continued to fall short of picking up consecutive wins in a series, a trend that has haunted them since early February.
“We’re competing,” Mark Morrisson said about the Moose’s push for a playoff spot. “You certainly don’t see quit in the and we’re in every game because of it,” Morrisson added.
The Moose have found their stride late in the season, but they sit 10 points back of the Rockford IceHogs with three meaningful games against the IceHogs left to play this season.
DiVincentiis picked up two wins in the Moose’s homestand, and he wasn’t shy about sharing how he handles playing so many games in such a short time.
“Getting my feet under me, playing pretty much every other night and even when I’m not playing, getting to the rink for game day and going through the same routine,” DiVincentiis said about playing his recent stretch of games. “It’s part of being a pro hockey player and being a starting goalie, like (Connor) Hellebuyck, when you get your feet wet, that’s when you start getting on a roll,” DiVincentiis added.
This homestand turned into something more than just another set of games for the Moose, they found the secondary scoring touch from players like Fabian Wagner, Mark Liwiski, and more, but the success they’re currently having can be attributed to the team’s willingness to pushback.
“The way they forecheck, the way they play hard, the way they protect the zone, it’s a great example for the kids on how to play at the professional level,” Moose assistant coach Eric Dubois said about the teams’ willingness to compete.
Manitoba strung together 15 goals across four games in their homestand while three goals came from Fabian Wagner himself.
Wagner pushed hard throughout the season, and the chances he’s had are starting to pay off which shows in every game that he plays.
This secondary scoring has to continue if the Manitoba Moose want to catch the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL Central Division standings.
As March closes with nine games in 17 days for the Moose, it will be busy. The Moose also play Rockford three times in Rockford as they continue the battle for the final playoff spot in the AHL Central Division.
The Manitoba Moose are back home on March 21st and 22nd for a pair of games against the Abbotsford Canucks.
ITR 30: Down The Stretch – Inside The Rink
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