Moose follows in big club’s playoff tracks

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This article was published 21/04/2018 (2787 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The big club had already done their part, electrifying the city by finishing off the Minnesota Wild one night earlier and advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in the new franchise’s history.

Now, the Manitoba Moose were up, trying to see if they could continue the momentum which has become pretty palpable around these parts of late. They took a big first step Saturday afternoon by winning an exciting playoff opener against Grand Rapids.

Unlike the Jets, there was no massive downtown street party cheering on every pass, shot and hit outside Bell MTS Place on Saturday. Nor was the rink filled to capacity with fans decked out head-to-toe in white, although there was certainly a respectable crowd of more than 5,000 on hand to cheer them on.

But it’s hard not to notice the symmetry between two professional hockey teams who play under the same roof. Moose coach Pascal Vincent said his players are acutely aware of what the Jets have accomplished so far — and would love to try and follow in their skate marks.

“I think energy is contagious. Good energy is really contagious. So is negative energy. The good vibe around the team, around the city about winning the first round, and the way (the Jets) have played, this is contagious,” Vincent told the Free Press following Saturday’s game.

“We’re a tight organization, and we’re close to the Jets. Talking to the Jets players, when I see them, they know what’s going on with our team, they know our players. So, we’re a tight group, so for them to have success, I know our guys are watching their games, they feel a part of it. We feel a part of it.”

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and assistant general manager Larry Simmons were at Saturday’s Moose game, which is a rarity for many AHL clubs who have their NHL team still playing meaningful hockey. Winnipeg is one of just three cities to have both an NHL and AHL franchise, with Toronto and San Jose being the others. 

“Not only are we in the same city, but we have amazing people and the big boys are in town,” Vincent said.

“To have those guys at the games, they’re supporting us, and we all feel it. We have a special organization here.”

Of course, there’s plenty of direct ties between the two teams. Kyle Connor, Jack Roslovic and Tucker Poolman are among the current Jets regulars who spent at least part of this season with the Moose.

Goalie Michael Hutchinson is also with the Jets right now, backing up Connor Hellebuyck. 

Rookie defenceman Sami Niku has ping-ponged between the teams all week — he was in the press box for the Jets game Friday night as a healthy scratch (and would have played if Tyler Myers hadn’t returned from injury), then suited up for the Moose on Saturday after being sent down.

Several other players, including Nic Petan, Brendan Lemieux and Eric Comrie have played games with the Jets this year as well.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg