Fast Facts: Moose at Texas – April 12

The Manitoba Moose rematch with the Texas Stars tonight following a 7-5 barnburner yesterday at H-E-B Center. The Moose came away with the two points last night and by doing so, clinched their spot in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. Jansen Harkins scored twice, including the game-winner, while Leon Gawanke also added a couple goals. Coverage of tonight's 7 p.m. CT matchup gets going at 6:45 p.m. CT on CJOB.com/sports, the Winnipeg Jets App and AHLTV.

Merry Clinch-mas

With the Moose racking up a 7-5 win yesterday in Texas, the antlered ones clinched a spot in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. It’s the second straight season the Moose will compete in the post-season. The Moose achieved the milestone with three games remaining in the regular season and are the third team in the Central Division, behind Texas and Milwaukee, to book their post-season berth. The 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs mark the 17th time the Moose franchise has participated in the post-season, including the organization’s time in the IHL and as the St. John’s IceCaps. The club reached the Calder Cup Final in 2009 (Manitoba) and 2014 (St. John’s).

Making History

Leon Gawanke posted a pair of goals in the Moose win yesterday evening. The third period tally was Gawanke’s 18th of the season, which pushed the  Berlin, Germany product past Brett Hauer for the franchise single-season record dating back to the team’s IHL days in 2000-01. Gawanke went on to add his 19th of the season into an empty net to ice the win for Manitoba. That ties Gawanke atop the AHL leaderboard among goals from defencemen with Charlotte’s Leo Carlsson. Gawanke has posted 43 points (19G, 24A) in 66 games with Manitoba and co-leads Moose defenders in points.

Stay Hot, Harks

Jansen Harkins netted a pair of tallies in Tuesday’s road win. Harkins, a 2015 second round pick of Winnipeg, leads the club with 24 goals and ranks second with 46 points on the season. In addition, Harkins is shooting at a 21.6 percent clip. The winger co-leads the Moose with six game-winning goals alongside Dominic Toninato. The tally Harkins notched in the second period was the forward’s 50th career AHL marker and gives the North Vancouver, B.C. product 128 points (51G, 77A) in 197 career AHL games.

New Heights

Jeff Malott racked up two points (1G, 1A) in Tuesday’s win in Texas. The pair give Malott 42 points on the season (22G, 20A) and marks the first time in his professional career Malott cleared 20 goals and 20 assists in a single season. The 42 points also represent a new career high for the Waterdown, Ont. product. Malott also notched his 13th multi-point game of the season in the win. The winger had 12 outings of multiple points through his first two AHL seasons combined entering the 2022-23 campaign.

Who's Trending?

Ashton Sautner posted two points (1G, 1A) in Manitoba’s win yesterday. The assist gives the defender 10 on the season, which is one off his career high and marks the fourth time in his career he’s hit the double-digit assist plateau. He’s also the fourth Moose this season to post a plus-four rating in a single contest.