WINNIPEG – The Charlotte Checkers scored two powerplay goals in the third period to defeat the Manitoba Moose 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at MTS Centre.
After a scoreless two periods the Checkers took advantage on the man advantage in the third period to hand the Moose their third loss in the last four games.
“We know that they got a strong powerplay.” Moose head coach Keith McCambridge said. “We gave them too many opportunities in both games to get on the ice. Last night we were fortunate for the most part but tonight eventually if you let those guys on the ice that many times they’re going to capitalize.”
The Checkers finished the game 2-for-6 on the powerplay.
“I think all night it was kind of a special teams game and they got a good powerplay.” said JC Lipon. “They were bound to get one. We just kinda took some timely penalties.”
Lipon scored the lone goal for the Moose while Derek Ryan scored both goals for Charlotte. Connor Hellebuyck made his sixth start with the Moose since getting sent down by the Winnipeg Jets and stopped 26 of 28 shots.
“I thought there was just a lot of bad bounces on their goals.” Hellebuyck said. “They made a nice play off the guys skate but even then you can’t plan that out. Tough rebound. I thought the guy had his stick in my pads and it was goalie interference but the refs didn’t call it. I think everyone was aware of it, but you know, that’s just how hockey goes.”
Both teams had their fair share of scoring chances in a fairly evenly played first period. With six minutes left in the first frame Scott Kosmachuk tried to tuck it in on the wraparound. The puck went underneath Checkers goalie Daniel Altshuller but trickled just wide of the net.
Hellebuyck made a couple key saves in the late stages of the first with the Checkers working on a man advantage. But it was a scoreless opening period with the shots even at eleven apiece.
It was still nil-nil at the seven minute mark of the second when Patrice Cormier tracked down his own rebound and rung the shot off the crossbar.
The Moose were all over the Checkers in the final minute of the middle stanza but still couldn’t find a way to solve Altshuller. It was zero-zero after 40 minutes. The Moose outshot the Checkers 8-6 in the period.
Early in the third period the Moose came close to opening the scoring. John Albert sent it across to a wide open Lipon but he was unable to chip it past Altshuller.
The Checkers then came within inches of taking the lead. Patrick Brown beat Hellebuyck with the slapper but not the crossbar.
After 47 minutes of scoreless hockey the Checkers finally broke the deadlock on a powerplay. Ryan Murphy sent the pass in front and the puck ricocheted off Ryan’s skate and in behind Hellebuyck. They reviewed the goal but determined their was no kicking motion.
Only three minutes later the Moose got right back on even terms. Austen Brassard put it towards the net and Lipon re-directed the puck past Altshuller for his 13th goal of the season. Josh Morrissey also picked up an assist and it was 1-1.
With six minutes remaining in regulation the Checkers went back on the powerplay and it clicked almost immediately. Just 20 seconds into the man advantage Hellebuyck made the initial save but Ryan was parked on the doorstep to whack in the loose puck. Ryan’s second goal of the game and 17th of the season turned out to be the game winner in a 2-1 Checkers triumph.
The official attendance was 8,064.
Jan Kostalek, Jimmy Lodge, Brennan Serville and Julian Melchiori were all scratched.
The Moose now have four days off before heading out on a brief two game road trip with games against San Antonio and Texas on Friday and Saturday respectively.
WATCH: Manitoba Moose players and head coach Keith McCambridge discuss a 2-1 loss to Charlotte on Sunday.
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