The Manitoba Moose wrapped up their six-game road trip in emphatic fashion, blanking the division-leading Laval Rocket 3-0 in a game that showcased grit, structure, and timely execution. Coming off a shootout win the night before, the Moose were looking to pull off a rare sweep on Laval’s home ice - no easy feat against the top team in the North Division. But Manitoba didn’t just rise to the challenge - they owned it.
Lineup Shifts and Goaltending Choice
A couple of tweaks to the lineup saw Jets prospect Fabian Wagner slot in for Jacob Julien, while between the pipes, it was Domenic DiVincentiis getting the nod. The 20-year-old netminder has been steadily building his case this season, and last night, he made another strong statement.
Moose Lineup
Forwards:
- Lambert - Ford - Di Giuseppe
- Shaw - Gustafsson - Duehr
- Wagner - Yager - Fagemo
- Barlow - JAD - Chibrikov
Defense:
- Heinola - Barteaux
- Anhorn - Clague
- Sautner - Bauer
Goalie:
- DiVincentiis
Special Teams Set the Tone Early
Through two periods, this one was a defensive chess match. Neither team could find twine, but the Moose made their presence felt on the penalty kill.
Laval came in boasting the 10th-best power play in the AHL, but Manitoba’s PK unit - ranked 9th - was up to the task, killing off all four Rocket opportunities in the first 40 minutes. It was a tone-setting effort that gave the Moose the foundation they needed to take control late.
Lambert Breaks the Ice
With the game still locked in a scoreless tie deep into the third, it was Brad Lambert who finally cracked the code. The 2022 first-round pick continues to show flashes of high-end offensive upside, and his fourth goal of the season couldn’t have come at a better time - giving Manitoba a crucial 1-0 lead with just under nine minutes to play.
Lambert wasn’t done, either. He added an assist later in the game, capping off a strong multi-point night and reminding everyone why he's one of the top names to watch in the Jets’ prospect pool.
Power Play Comes Through
Manitoba’s power play hasn’t exactly been a consistent weapon this season, but it showed up when it mattered. Nikita Chibrikov - another promising Jets prospect - snapped a 14-game goal drought with a key insurance marker on the man advantage, pushing the lead to 2-0. For a player with high-end offensive instincts, getting that one to drop could be the confidence boost he needs to get rolling again.
Captain Closes It Out
With Laval pulling the goalie in a last-ditch effort to rally, Moose captain Mason Shaw put the game on ice with an empty-net goal off a 3-on-1 rush. That’s goal number 10 on the season for Shaw, who continues to lead by example both on the scoresheet and in the locker room.
DiVincentiis Delivers Again
The backbone of the win, though, was Domenic DiVincentiis. The young goaltender was dialed in all night, turning aside all 28 shots he faced to earn his second shutout of the season.
Calm, composed, and technically sound, DiVincentiis looked every bit the part of a future NHL netminder. His performance was a major reason the Moose were able to keep Laval’s high-powered offense off the board.
Road Trip Ends on a High Note
With the win, Manitoba sweeps the two-game set in Laval and finishes the road trip with a 3-2-1-0 record. That bumps their season mark to 19-14-3-0, good for third place in the Central Division - just a single point out of second. Given the quality of competition and the grind of a long road swing, that’s a result the coaching staff will be happy with.
Game Cut Short Due to Emergency
The game was officially called with 1:13 remaining in the third period due to a medical emergency in the stands. The Rocket later confirmed the stoppage, and all thoughts are with the fan involved, hoping for a full recovery.
Notable Performances
- Brad Lambert: 1 goal, 1 assist - the offensive catalyst in a tight game
- Domenic DiVincentiis: 28-save shutout - his second of the season
- Nikita Chibrikov: Power play goal - snapped a 14-game drought
- Mason Shaw: Empty-netter - 10th goal of the year and a captain’s finish
This was the kind of win that can galvanize a team - disciplined, opportunistic, and backstopped by elite goaltending. If the Moose can bottle this performance, they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the second half of the season.