Moose defeat Wranglers 4-2 despite Calgary’s 46-shot effort

Photo by David Moll / Calgary Wranglers

CALGARY — Despite heavily outshooting the opposition, the Calgary Wranglers fell 4-2 to the Manitoba Moose on Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Manitoba opened the scoring late in the first period when Isaak Phillips netted his eighth goal of the season at 14:57, assisted by Brayden Yager.

Calgary answered in the closing seconds of the period. Justin Kirkland scored his 10th of the season on the power play at 19:27, with Daniil Miromanov and Dryden Hunt picking up the assists to tie the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

The Moose reclaimed the lead in the second period when Jaret Anderson-Dolan scored his ninth goal of the season at 11:11, assisted by Danny Zhilkin and Colby Barlow, giving Manitoba a 2-1 advantage after 40 minutes.

Calgary drew even early in the third period. Carter Wilkie scored his first goal of the season at 4:59, with Alex Gallant and Nick Cicek recording the assists to make it 2-2.

Manitoba regained the lead midway through the period when Dylan Anhorn scored his second goal of the season at 14:23, assisted by Parker Ford and Nikita Chibrikov.

David Gustafsson sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 18:57, his 10th of the season, with Parker Ford and Mason Shaw collecting the assists.

Despite the loss, Calgary generated sustained pressure and finished the game with a 46-37 advantage in shots on goal.

Manitoba goaltender Thomas Milic stopped 44 of 46 shots for a .957 save percentage, earning second-star honours.

At the other end, Arsenii Sergeev made 33 saves on 36 shots for a .917 save percentage, a performance that should help lift his season goals-against average and save percentage as he continues to settle into the crease for Calgary.

Dylan Anhorn was named the game’s first star after scoring the eventual game-winning goal. Milic was named the second star, while Alex Gallant earned third-star honours.

The Wranglers return to action Tuesday night when they host the Henderson Silver Knights at Scotiabank Saddledome. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT.

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