Fast Facts: Moose vs. Iowa – Feb. 8

The Manitoba Moose (12-25-1-1) return from the AHL All-Star Break and begin a six-game homestand today (2 p.m.) against the Iowa Wild (14-26-2-1). It's the first meeting between the teams since the Moose won their first two games of the season against the Wild. Manitoba went 1-2-0-0 on its road swing leading into the break. The Wild have dropped six straight heading into this afternoon's contest.

It's Manitoba Made Day at Canada Life Centre as we celebrate everything Manitoba. The first 1,000 fans through the doors will receive a collector pin and everyone's going home with perogies. The team will  also wear its 25th Season Celebration Jerseys. Tickets for today's 2 p.m. game are available at moosehockey.com/tickets.

All-Star Recap

Elias Salomonsson returns to the Moose roster as an AHL All-Star Classic champion, after capturing a win in Coachella Valley alongside his Central Division teammates. The Swedish defender posted two goals during Monday’s All-Star Challenge, including the lone goal for the Central Division in a 2-1 shootout win over the Atlantic Division in the finals. It was the Central Division’s first win at the event since 2017. Salomonsson, 20, was the second-youngest skater selected for the All-Star Classic this season. He is the second rookie defenceman, and seventh rookie overall, in Moose franchise history to be chosen as an All-Star. Salomonsson was one of just eight skaters to register multiple goals during the showcase, and one of two defenceman to do so.

Gamers

Mason Shaw and Axel Jonsson-Fjällby come out of the break as the only players on Manitoba’s roster to appear in each of the club’s first 39 contests. Since the Moose returned to Winnipeg in 2015, only six skaters have achieved the feat of appearing in all of the club’s games in a season. Most recently, Parker Ford appeared in all 72 games of the 2023-24 season. Shaw previously skated a complete 76 games during the 2018-19 season, as a rookie with the Iowa Wild.

Roster Moves

The Moose see two of their top scorers rejoin the roster this morning, with Parker Ford and Brad Lambert being reassigned to the club from the Winnipeg Jets. Ford currently leads the Moose with 11 goals, having recorded seven markers through his past nine outings with the team. The Providence College alum made his NHL debut on Jan. 30 against the Boston Bruins and recorded his first NHL goal in the game. Lambert leads the Moose with 13 assists and has appeared in five games, recording one assist, with the Jets this season. The Moose also reassigned forward Ryan Chyzowski to the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals on Monday. Chyzowski played three games with Manitoba.

Things Escalated Quickly

The Moose recorded a total 75 penalty minutes in their most recent matchup against the Chicago Wolves, setting a new season-high. Chicago’s 115 penalty minutes were the most recorded by a Moose opponent in franchise history. Manitoba is now ninth in the AHL with 589 penalty minutes. Rookie forward Mark Liwiski currently leads all AHL rookies with 89 penalty minutes, and is third among all AHL skaters. Liwiski has posted four points (2G, 2A) on the campaign so far. He is the only AHL skater to average more than 3.5 penalty minutes per games and record multiple goals this season.

Who's Trending?

C.J. Suess recorded three shots on goal in Manitoba’s loss to Chicago on Feb. 1. The veteran forward has 13 points (7G, 6A) this season, and three points (1G, 2A) through his past five outings. Suess is currently tied for third on the Moose in goals and is one of three Manitoba skaters to have recorded a goal both shorthanded and on the power play.

Broadcast coverage of tonight's game gets going at 6:45 p.m. CT on cjob.com, the Winnipeg Jets App and AHLTV on FloHockey.