Moose weekly recap: Moose split weekend in Texas

The Manitoba Moose split their back-to-back games in Texas at the HEB Center in Cedar Park to complete their four-game stretch against the Stars, managing to pick up one win after dropping the first two at home.

Friday, November 7 – Texas 4, Manitoba 1

The Moose were outscored 5-1 in their first two meetings with the Stars at the Canada Life Centre, but they struck first in Friday’s game. Captain Mason Shaw tipped an Ashton Sautner point shot past Texas goalkeeper Remi Poirier just two minutes later to give Manitoba a 1-0 lead.

Matthew Seminoff tied the game with 25 seconds left in the opening frame, sending a pass from Tristian Bertucci past Thomas Milic to send the teams into the first intermission tied 1–1.

Texas defenseman Kyle Looft took over in the second period and scored twice to put the Stars up 3-1. He gave Texas a lead 1:59 into the frame, then added another 10 minutes later after a Moose player collided with Milic, leaving the net wide open for Looft to lift the puck home. Kole Lind sealed the 4-1 victory with an empty-netter in the third.

Milic made 24 saves in the defeat, while Shaw’s score marked his second goal of the season.

Saturday, November 8 – Manitoba 3, Texas 2

Manitoba was still looking for their first win of the series and fell behind 2-0 in the opening stages. Cross Hanas opened the scoring on a breakaway at 14:41, and Harrison Scott doubled the lead two minutes later, taking a cross-ice feed from Cameron Hughes and beating Milic.

David Gustafsson got the Moose on the board 24 seconds into the second period on the power play, knocking in a loose puck amid a scramble at the front of the net. Manitoba trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes.

The Moose came alive in the third. Fabian Wagner and Colby Barlow each scored their first goals of the season just 25 seconds apart, giving Manitoba its first lead of the night. Wagner tied the game on a smooth feed from Brayden Yager and caught Poirier on the wrong side before Barlow buried a loose puck near the goal line to make it 3-2.

Milic stayed on his feet the rest of the way, finishing with 22 saves as Manitoba held on for the regular win and improved to 4-6-2 on the season.

The Moose continue their road trip with three more games before returning home for a six-game stretch. They visit Rockford on Wednesday (6 p.m.), Milwaukee on Friday (7 p.m.) and Rockford again on Saturday (7 p.m.).