AHL Manitoba Moose

Manitoba Moose Weekly

Published on November 2, 2015 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


INTO THE WIN COLUMN

The Manitoba Moose started the week by claiming their first victory of the season against the Milwaukee Admirals on Thursday night. The Moose then followed with two good efforts against the division leading Chicago Wolves but were unable to come away with any points.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015: Manitoba 3 @ Milwaukee 2

The Moose earned a hard fought victory over the Admirals on Thursday night. Manitoba scored just 23 seconds in on a goal by former Admiral Matt Halischuk. Joel Armia added a goal six minutes later on the powerplay. After the Admirals tied it up before the end of the first period, Brenden Kichton knocked in a rebound out front to take a 3-2 lead. Connor Hellebuyck stood strong in net making 39 saves to hold on for the win. (full game recap)

Friday, Oct. 30, 2015: Manitoba 1 @ Chicago 3

The Moose had a good effort against the Wolves in the first match of the mini-series, hanging in with the central division leaders for the majority of the game. The difference was a third period marker by Yannick Veilleux who banged in a rebound during the third period to give the Wolves the lead. Pat Cannone added an empty netter for a 3-1 Wolves win. Austen Brassard was the lone goal scorer for the Moose after scoring on a breakaway early in the third. Connor Hellebuyck made 28 saves for the Moose despite the loss. (full game recap)

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015: Manitoba 0 @ Chicago 2

It was a game that played out very similar to the opening match of the two game mini-series between the Manitoba Wolves and Chicago Wolves. Both times the two rivals played a scoreless first period. Both times Chicago were able to exit the second period with a 1-0 lead. And both times the Moose played a strong road game against the division leading Wolves but were unable to take away any points. Eric Comrie played another strong game in the Moose net making 28 saves. (full game recap)

Saturday, Nov. 7 & Sunday, Nov. 8

The Moose will face the Charlotte Checkers for the first time ever as they hit the road for a two-game series. The Checkers joined the AHL for the start of the 2010 season and are the affiliate of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes.

BRENDEN KICHTON

Defenceman Brenden Kichton continued his strong start to the season. The Spruce Grove, Alberta native leads the Moose in scoring this season. This past week he had the game winning goal to help the Moose to their first victory of the season against Milwaukee.

CREASE KINGS:

The Moose have received incredible goaltending to start the season among the best in the AHL. Manitoba's duo of Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie have combined for a .936 save percentage. That is the second highest save percentage of any goaltending tandem in the entire AHL.

HELLEBUYCK EXCELLING:

Connor Hellebuyck has been nothing short of outstanding to start the season and red hot as of late. Hellebuyck earned his first win of the season on Thursday night with a 39 save performance. In each of his last four starts he has made 25-plus saves and has a .954 save percentage in that span. He is currently tied for fourth in the league with 194 saves and is ninth in save percentage at .933.

COMRIE HOLDING HIS OWN:

Rookie netminder Eric Comrie has been spectacular in his first three starts of the season. The Edmonton, Alberta native is currently tied for ninth in the league in terms of goals against average (1.96) and fourth in save percentage (.942). Comrie made 28 saves in Sunday's match against currently the league's best offence. He has allowed just two goals in each of his three games this season. Those three opponents have goals-per-game averages of 4.0 (Chicago), 3.5 (Toronto), and 2.9 (Lake Erie).

FIRST OF THE SEASON:

Moose forward Austen Brassard scored his first goal of the season on Friday night against the Wolves on a great breakaway move. Last season he scored six goals and 18 points in 75 games in his second season in the AHL. His first goal last season didn't come until December 6th.

FIRST YEAR PROS:

The Moose have nine players who are playing their first full season of pro hockey in the AHL this year. Axel Blomqvist (WHL/Moose Jaw), Chase De Leo (WHL/Portland), Jiri Fronk (USHL/Cedar Rapids), Jan Kostalek (QMJHL/Rimouski), Eric Comrie (WHL/Tri-City), Jimmy Lodge (OHL/Mississauga), Aaron Harstad (NCHA/Colorado College), Peter Stoykewych (NCHA/Colorado College) and Josh Morrissey (WHL/Kelowna). Forward Thomas Raffl is playing his first year of professional hockey in North America.

Check out the Manitoba Moose Statistics

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