Hail Mikhail, Russian rookie goalie

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This article was published 02/11/2018 (2591 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THEY were without two key skaters, as forward Kristian Vesalainen was sidelined with injury and defenceman Sami Niku was benched due to violating a team rule.

But the Manitoba Moose managed to gut out an impressive win over the high-flying Chicago Wolves Friday night thanks to some strong play from a few other promising prospects in the pipeline.

Winnipeg Jets draft picks Mason Appleton, C.J. Suess, Michael Spacek and Luke Green all scored while goalie Mikhail Berdin put together a personal highlight reel among his 32 saves as the Moose beat the Wolves 5-4.

Manitoba improves to 6-4-0, having won five of their past six. Chicago, the affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, falls to 6-3-1.

Vesalainen, who began the year with the Jets, missed a second straight game after suffering an upper-body injury last weekend. He’s considered day-to-day. As for Niku, Moose head coach Pascal Vincent wouldn’t say what the smooth-skating defenceman and reigning AHL defenceman of the year did to receive a one-game punishment.

“It’s part of the process of learning to become a pro. We have team rules and it’s for everyone. If any of our players don’t do what is (required) as part of the team rules, it’s going to be the same for everyone,” Vincent said following the game. “It’s old news already.”

Manitoba was also without top-pairing defenceman Tucker Poolman and starting goalie Eric Comrie, as both players joined the Jets for their trip to Finland.

Berdin, picked in the sixth round by the Jets in the 2016 NHL draft, began the year in the ECHL but was called up last week to take Comrie’s place. He’s 3-0-0 with the Moose. The 20-year-old has an unorthodox, aggressive style the likes of which you rarely see from goaltenders these days, with constant motion, poke-checks and plenty of puckhandling in his game.

“I feel great. When you win games you feel great,” said the Russian rookie with the big personality. “I try to enjoy all of my games. I play hockey for enjoyment. It’s much fun. I love it.”

Chicago dominated the first period, outshooting Manitoba 13-3 and scoring the first goal on one of three consecutive power plays they had in the opening frame. It could have been a lot worse if not for Berdin’s work in the crease.

Manitoba stormed back in the second. Spacek scored his first of the year on an extended five-on-three powerplay, and then Suess sniped for the sixth time this year on another man-advantage. The rookie power forward was impressive in training camp with the Jets and has continued his solid work on the farm.

After the Wolves tied it — once again on the power play — Appleton scored on his own rebound to restore the lead, this time for good. It was the sixth goal of the season for the reigning AHL rookie of the year.

Jets free agent depth signing Seth Griffith scored early in the third to extend the lead, and then Green, the rookie defenceman, got his first professional goal and what proved to be the game-winner. Griffith also chipped in with three assists, while Appleton had two helpers to give him a team-leading 12 points through 10 games.

“It feels awesome,” said Green, who also had an assist after being a healthy scratch for much of the season so far.

The Wolves made it interesting by pulling their goalie with about 10 minutes left in the third period and scoring twice with the extra attacker, but that’s as close as they’d get, thanks largely to Berdin.

“He’s been really good for us since we put him in the net. He competes really hard, is really good around the net. He’s really aggressive and sharp. Right now he’s enjoying the ride, and good for him,” said Vincent.

The Moose continue their four-game homestand by hosting the Wolves tonight in a rematch. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg