The Moose signed the 23-year-old London, Ont., native to a tryout contract on Jan. 15. But in the week of practice following his signing, he was hit by a shot on the ankle and couldn't play.

Sent back to his ECHL team in Utah so that he could play in the league's all-star game, Craig then turned the ankle and lost another three weeks.

Eight weeks after his original signing, the former Quinnipiac College skater got into his first AHL game Wednesday in Chicago and recorded an assist.

"Our line (with Mike Keane and Jimmy Roy) was plus-one so that was a positive and it felt good to get that first game under my belt," said Craig, who had 24 goals in 47 ECHL games this season. "Those two guys made it easier." Moose coach Alain Vigneault was happy to finally have Craig's first outing in the books, too, because the team had wanted to gauge his ability to help them if a recent forward shortage continues.

"I didn't mind what I saw," Vigneault said. "I saw a lot of quickness there. He was able to get into holes. His defensive awareness in certain situations needs to improve but it's a tough situation throwing a young man in who has never really practised with the group except for two times way, way back before he got hurt.

"As far as the skill and the quickness, I saw things that I liked. We've got three more games to get a good read on him and that's what we're going to do."

Vigneault said that Craig's speed, not his role on the Moose checking line, will likely turn out to be a more important factor.

"I think he's supposed to be more of an offensive type player but that being said, that speed and skill could be used on a good, hard forechecking line," the coach said. "That quickness can help us out in our zone. Today's game is more speed-oriented. If you've got that in your bag, you can be a big help on any line."

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SINCE the Moose were flattened twice at home by the Omaha Knights three weeks ago, they have lost only once outright in six games, including a pair of wins at division-leading Grand Rapids.

Omaha, in fact, has sharpened its play of late, winning eight of its last 10 games to jump into the final playoff spot in the West Division. The rematch comes tonight at Civic Auditorium.

"After that series, we certainly weren't happy with how we played but we've bounced back pretty good," Vigneault said after putting his team through a practice on the Olympic-sized surface at the Tranquility Park ice complex yesterday. "We've played some really strong teams." Tonight's game is the second of an eight-game road trip for Manitoba, which began with a 5-2 win Wednesday in Chicago.

"Even though we didn't play one of our best games last night, I still thought we found a way to win and we scored some goals," Vigneault said. "For us, I hope, confidence-wise, that's going to help us.

"That being said, I know we're going to be in for a grind (tonight). Since they beat us, I think they've really gotten on a roll. I don't know if we gave them confidence or whatever but we know... what we're up against, an in-your-face type team and we're going to have to respond accordingly."

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca