Calgary Wranglers recap: Reinforcements lead successful Moose hunt
5 months ago
The Calgary Wranglers got a fresh start for their first of three games this week. They hosted the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday night and with recent struggles, they needed a good team win to snap back into things. They got their captain back along with two other key players and this helped lead them to a 4-2 win over their Canadian counterparts.
Lineup notes
The Wranglers had some game-day roster announcements that helped improve their lineup. Cole Schwindt was sent down from the Flames on Tuesday, and Brett Sutter and Dryden Hunt returned to the lineup from injury. All three skated in this game and boosted many key parts of their lineup.
Wranglers lines
Dryden Hunt – Ben Jones – Matt Coronato
Emilio Pettersen – Brett Sutter – Mitch McLain
Adam Klapka – Cole Schwindt – Rory Kerins
Lucas Ciona – Ilya Nikolaev – Matthew Wedman
Yan Kuznetsov – Colton Poolman
Ilya Solovyov – Jonathan Aspirot
Sam Jardine – Brady Lyle
Connor Murphy
Oscar Dansk
Game at a glance
The Wranglers switched things up in net and gave Connor Murphy the nod for his first home start with the team. He’s appeared in three other games on the road and had one loss on the season going into this game. On the other end of things, Thomas Milic started for the Moose.
Calgary appeared to open the scoring just shy of the seven-minute mark. Ben Jones and Dryden Hunt were deep in the crease and it looked as if both of them could have pushed the puck past the line. It’s not very often that goals are reviewed in the AHL but the officials did take another look at this one and ruled it a no goal.
This no-goal turned into a sure goal about a minute later when Captain Brett Sutter got the feed from Dryden Hunt and scored on a one-timer. This goal came at 7:55 and was also assisted by Matt Coronato.
A few minutes later, another returning Wrangler got on the board when Cole Schwindt scored on the power play. Ben Jones made a behind-the-back pass and Cole Schwindt directed the puck in with his skate. Jonathan Aspirot also assisted on Schwindt’s ninth goal of the year. This goal was also reviewed in more detail due to the possibility of it being scored with a kicking motion but the goal stood.
That wrapped up the scoring in the first period and Calgary had a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission. Shots after 20 minutes were 17-12 for Manitoba. In the second period, the Moose flipped the script and got their side of the scoring game going.
Just 1:02 into the period, Brad Lambert beat Murphy for Manitoba’s first marker of the night. Lambert was on a partial break and ripped a shot high blocker side that Murphy couldn’t get in front of.
The Moose struck again at 7:53 with a power play goal from Jeffrey Viel. Viel was on the doorstep to tip in the puck five-hole. That pair of goals were the only markers in the second and after 40 minutes, the score was all tied up 2-2. Shots in the middle frame were 12-9 for the Wranglers.
The first half of the third period didn’t change any of the scoring and it looked like things might need to be extended outside of regulation. Thankfully, the Wranglers were able to get the job done on the power play. At 13:22 Brady Lyle ripped his signature slap shot and Brett Sutter was perfectly positioned to bury the rebound. Matt Coronato also assisted on this go-ahead goal.
Manitoba decided to let a few minutes play out before they went into panic mode and pulled Milic at 17:24. At 17:58, Coronato found the empty net and picked up his third point of the night with the insurance goal. Dryden Hunt and Ben Jones picked up their second assists of the game on this marker.
Milic went off once again at 18:23 for the extra Manitoba attacker but no further scoring for either side would take place. Connor Murphy picked up his first win as a Wrangler with a 32-save performance and a final score of 4-2 for the home team. Brett Sutter earned the first star of the night, Matt Coronato picked up the second and Connor Murphy earned the third.
Scoring stat summary
Brett Sutter – 2G
Cole Schwindt – 1G
Ben Jones – 2A
Dryden Hunt – 2A
Brady Lyle – 1A
Matt Coronato – 1G, 2A
Jonathan Aspirot – 1A
Highlights
Failed to load video.
Next up
The fun continues between these teams with game two taking place on Wednesday night for a special Valentine’s game. This will be the Wranglers’ last game at home in February and the puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. MT.
GAME DAY hosted by Flamesnation & Barn Burner at Greta Bar YYC is BACK! Join the crew at our favorite Game Day Watch Party spot, Greta, on Saturday Feb 24, 2024 for the next BOA! Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10 with proceeds going to support Closer to Home Community Services! Good food, a good cause and a guaranteed good time. This event is brought to you by McLeod Law LLP and Village Honda. Get your tickets at nationgear.ca before they sell out!
Recent articles from Paige Siewert
