Moose Moment: Making A Push For The Playoffs

The Moose continued an 8 game homestand with a pair of games against the AHL leading Toronto Marlies at Bell MTS Place.  Starting the weekend out of first place for the first time since November 16, the Moose were looking to snap out of a 3-game home losing streak.

On Friday night, the two-game series opened, with the Moose looking to guarantee a season series victory after beating the Marlies both times in Toronto in December.  The Moose penalty kill struggled on the night, giving up 2 goals on 5 attempts to the Marlies, but it looked like the Moose were still going to get at least a point.  However, AHL veteran Chris Mueller scored with just 25 seconds left, handing the Moose a 3-2 loss.  The Moose got goals from Sami Niku (his 15th), and Brody Sutter (his 6th).  Michael Hutchinson took the loss, giving up 3 goals on 28 shots.

On Saturday night, the Moose looked to snap a four-game losing streak in the rematch with the Marlies.  An evenly played game would go back and forth, tied at 3 after 40 minutes, but the Marlies would pick up a powerplay goal and a shorthanded goal in the third period, handing the Moose a 5-4 loss.  CJ Suess, making his 3rd appearance for the Moose, scored his first professional goal in the loss.  The Moose also got goals from Mason Appleton (his 21tt), Darren Kramer (his 3rd), and Brody Sutter (his 7th).  Michael Hutchinson, making his 3rd consecutive start, gave up 5 goals on 36 shots in the loss.  Since rejoining the lineup, Hutchinson is now 0-3-0 with a 4.09 GAA and a .870 SV%.

On Wednesday, the AHL announced the 2017-18 All Rookie Team, and both Mason Appleton and Sami Niku were named to the team.  On Thursday, Michael Hutchinson joined the two in being named to an AHL All-Star Team.  Niku and Appleton were named to the AHL First All-Star Team, while Hutchinson was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team.  Appleton and Niku are the first pair of rookie teammates to be named to the First All-Star Team since 1988-89.  Appleton has set Moose rookie records in goals and assists, while Niku set a record for most points by a rookie defenseman in franchise history.  Hutchinson has a 15-5-4 record with a 2.21 GAA and a .933 SV%.

Moose coach Pascal Vincent after the 5-4 loss to Toronto on Saturday

As of April 5^th, 2018

Magic Number to clinch a playoff spot: 3

Remaining Schedule

CHI: 4/6 at IA, 4/7 vs MIL, 4/10 at MIL, 4/13 at RFD, 4/14 vs RFD, 4/15 vs MTB

MTB: 4/6 vs BAK, 4/8 vs BAK, 4/12 at CLE, 4/13 at CLE, 4/15 at CHI

GR: 4/6 at TUC, 4/7 at TUC, 4/11 at TEX, 4/12 at SA, 4/14 vs CLE

RFD: 4/6 at TEX, 4/7 at TEX, 4/10 at IA, 4/13 vs CHI, 4/14 at RFD

MIL: 4/7 at CHI, 4/8 vs IA, 4/10 vs CHI, 4/13 at IA, 4/14 vs IA

IA: 4/6 vs CHI, 4/8 at MIL, 4/10 vs RFD, 4/13 vs MIL, 4/14 at MIL

The Moose close their home schedule with games tonight and Sunday afternoon against the Bakersfield Condors, top affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.  Both games can be heard on TSN 1290 or moosehockey.com