GAME PREVIEW - MANITOBA MOOSE AT IOWA WILD 4.1.16
Apr 1, 2016Manitoba Moose (23-37-4-5, 55 Points) at Iowa Wild (21-39-4-4, 50 Points)
Iowa and Manitoba meet for the eighth and final meeting of the season. The teams close out a two-game set on Friday, after the Moose claimed a 3-2 win on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Moose win snapped Iowa’s string of five straight victories in the season series. Iowa is 5-2-0-0 against Manitoba this season, including a 2-1-0-0 mark at home. The Moose is 2-4-0-1 in the all-time series, having been outscored 20-16 by the Wild this season.
Iowa is 9-20-3-2 at home this season, having been outscored 105-78 by the visiting teams. The Wild is 3-6-1-0 over the last ten and 16-17-2-1 since Dec. 26. The Wild is coming off a 3-2 loss at home to Manitoba on Wednesday. Iowa is winless in seven straight (0-6-1-0), having been outscored 25-11 and going 18-of-30 (60%) on the penalty kill.
Manitoba is 9-22-2-2 on the road this season, bested by the home teams 126-70. The Moose is 5-5-0-0 over the last ten games played. The team is coming off Wednesday’s 3-3 win at Iowa, its fifth win over the last seven games. Manitoba has scored the fewest road goals and allowed the most road goals.
Upcoming Games:
Team Date Time Radio / TV
vs. Manitoba 4/1 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at Rockford 4/2 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at San Antonio 4/8 7:30 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
at San Antonio 4/9 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
vs. Grand Rapids 4/11 7:00 PM KXNO / iHeartRadio
Transactions:
3.24.16: Add – F Alex Petan – signed (ATO)
3.25.16: Add – F Chase Lang – signed ATO (ATO)
3.29.16: Add – F Mario Lucia – signed ATO (ATO)
3.30.16: Add – F Nick Saracino – signed ATO (ATO)
4.1.16: Delete – F Brady Brassart – assigned to Quad City (ECHL)
Last Time Out
The Iowa Wild were defeated by the Manitoba Moose 3-2 in front of 4,651 fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Wednesday night. Moose center Patrice Cormier scored with 5:28 remaining in regulation on the power play, serving as the difference maker and game-winner for Manitoba. Forward Darik Angeli and defenseman Brenden Kichton each added a goal in the Moose victory. Manitoba goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves on 33 shots in the win. Iowa received goals from forwards Zac Dalpe and Colton Beck in the loss. Wild goalie Steve Michalek stopped 24 of 27 shots in the defeat.
Iowa Wild
Forwards Grayson Downing, Zack Mitchell and Christoph Bertschy lead Iowa in scoring. Mitchell leads the team with 20 goals and with 37 points in 63 games played. Downing has 35 points off 17 goals and 18 assists in 48 games played. Bertschy leads the team with 22 assists and is third among active scorers with 32 points in 65 games played. He also leads the team with 165 shots on goal.
Leland Irving has split time with Steven Michalek in net for Iowa. Leland Irving has made 36 appearances, going 10-20-5 with a 2.75 GAA and a .911 SV%. Rookie Steve Michalek is 6-5-0 with a 2.57 GAA and a .914 SV %.
Iowa ranks 23rd after going 35-for-230 (15.2%) on the power play. The team is 175-for-220 (79.5%) on the penalty kill – 29th in the AHL.
Notables –
● Forward Mario Lucia made his debut pro debut on Wednesday and left wing Nick Saracino is expected to make his this weekend.
● Iowa rookie Alex Petan’s younger brother, Nic Petan plays for Manitoba’s NHL Affiliate – the Winnipeg Jets.
Manitoba Moose
Defenseman Brenden Kichton, as well as forwards Austen Brassard, Patrice Cormier, John Albert and Scott Kosmachuk currently lead the Moose in scoring. Kichton leads the team in scoring with 27 assists and 37 points in 64 games played. Cormier has potted 14 goals and totaled 31 points through 62 games played. Albert has set up 19 goals and tallied 31 points in 59 outings. Kosmachuk leads the club with 17 goals scored and he has 30 points in 62 games.
Eric Comrie (12-23-7) holds a 3.12 GAA and a .908 SV% in 43 appearances. Fellow tender Connor Hellebuyck is 11-13-1 on the year with a 2.40 GAA and a .924 SV%. Jussi Olkinuora was recalled from Tulsa on Monday. He has played in six games this season for the Moose, going 0-1-1 with a 5.13 GAA and a .864 SV %.
Manitoba is 42-for-264 on the power play and sits 21st at 15.2%. The Moose penalty kill is 226-for-281 and sits 23rd at 80.4%.