The Calgary Wranglers and Manitoba Moose kicked off their throwback series with a bang on Friday. Sporting the iconic Saint John Flames jerseys to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Flames affiliate’s Calder Cup triumph, the Wranglers harnessed that nostalgic energy to deliver a commanding performance. They dominated the second period, scoring six goals, and cruised to a 7-2 victory.
Lineup Insights
Before the game, the Wranglers updated their injury report. Rory Kerins remains week-to-week, while Lucas Ciona is now day-to-day with a lower body injury.
On a positive note, Martin Frk made his return after missing the previous series. The lineup saw some shuffling with Turner Ottenbreit and Parker Bell stepping out, making way for Simon Mack, David Silye, and Carter Wilkie.
Wranglers' Lines
- Dryden Hunt - Justin Kirkland - Martin Frk
- Brennan Othmann - Sam Morton - William Stromgren
- Carter King - Clark Bishop - Aydar Suniev
- Alex Gallant - David Silye - Carter Wilkie
Defensive Pairings
- Artem Grushnikov - Daniil Miromanov
- Nick Cicek - Gavin White
- Etienne Morin - Simon Mack
Goaltender
- Arsenii Sergeev
Game Breakdown
Arsenii Sergeev started in goal for Calgary, facing off against Domenic DiVincentiis. The game had an electric start with Alex Gallant dropping the gloves against Tyrel Bauer just 14 seconds in, setting an early tone. Gallant later reflected on the fight, noting it was a strategic move to energize his team.
The Moose struck first with Brayden Yager scoring on the power play, assisted by former Flame Walker Duehr. Despite Calgary's early penalty troubles, they kept pushing, but the first period ended with Manitoba leading 1-0. Both teams had 13 shots on goal.
The second period was all Calgary. Justin Kirkland opened the scoring for the Wranglers just over a minute into the frame, assisted by Dryden Hunt and Martin Frk.
Aydar Suniev then showcased his skill with two quick goals, the first a top-shelf beauty and the second a clever bank shot. Sam Morton added to the tally with a precise post-and-in shot, making it 4-1.
As the period wound down, Kirkland found the net again, redirecting a shot from Hunt. Clark Bishop capped off the explosive period with a slick finish on a rush, extending the lead to 6-1. Shots in the second were 15-12 in favor of Manitoba, but Calgary's efficiency was the story.
In the third, Walker Duehr added another goal for the Moose, but Artem Grushnikov responded with his first of the season for Calgary, sealing the 7-2 victory. The Wranglers' defense held strong, and despite Manitoba outshooting them 16-7 in the final frame, the Wranglers' lead was never in jeopardy.
Post-Game Thoughts
Justin Kirkland, who notched two goals, emphasized the importance of bouncing back after a disappointing previous game. His words reflected the team's determination and focus on maintaining high standards.
Scoring Summary
- Artem Grushnikov: 1G
- Gavin White: 1A
- William Stromgren: 2A
- Dryden Hunt: 2A
- Clark Bishop: 1G, 1A
- Alex Gallant: 1A
- Etienne Morin: 1A
- Justin Kirkland: 2G
- Daniil Miromanov: 1A
- Brennan Othmann: 1A
- Martin Frk: 2A
- Aydar Suniev: 2G, 1A
- Carter King: 1A
- Sam Morton: 1G
Looking Ahead
The Wranglers will face the Moose again on Sunday, aiming to wrap up their season series with another win. Fans can expect the magic of the Saint John Flames jerseys to light up the rink once more.