Suniev leads Wranglers with three points in 7-2 win over Moose
Suniev’s three-point performance helped Calgary take control Friday night, as the Wranglers turned a tight game into a runaway with a six-goal second period against the Manitoba Moose. Justin Kirkland added two goals, Arsenii Sergeev was sharp in goal, and Calgary found its offensive rhythm in a decisive 7-2 win at the Saddledome.
Photo by David Moll / Calgary Wranglers
CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers returned to the win column Friday night at the Saddledome, exploding for six goals in the second period to defeat the Manitoba Moose 7-2.
Manitoba opened the scoring when Brayden Yager struck on the power play at 7:07 of the first period, assisted by Samuel Fagemo and Walker Duehr. But the Wranglers flipped the game in dramatic fashion in the middle frame.
Calgary’s surge began just 1:03 into the second period when Justin Kirkland finished a setup from Dryden Hunt and Martin Frk to tie the game. From there, the goals came in waves.
Aydar Suniev gave Calgary its first lead at 4:41, converting a play from Étienne Morin and Gavin White. Just 41 seconds later, Suniev struck again at 5:22, set up by Clark Bishop and William Strömgren to push the Wranglers ahead 3-1.
Suniev showed exceptional speed with the puck, splitting the Moose defense and finishing.
The pressure continued when Sam Morton added another at 8:07, assisted by Brennan Othmann and Daniil Miromanov.
Late in the period, Calgary added two more. Kirkland scored his second of the night at 19:04, again set up by Hunt and Frk, before Bishop capped the surge at 19:47 with Carter King and Suniev earning the assists.
By the end of the second period, the Wranglers had turned a 1-0 deficit into a 6-1 lead with a six-goal outburst.
Manitoba pulled one back early in the third when Walker Duehr scored at 7:06 from Fagemo and David Gustafsson, but Calgary responded again at 13:35. Defenseman Artem Grushnikov scored his first goal of the season, finishing a play from Strömgren and Alex Gallant to make it 7-2.
Suniev led the way offensively and was named the game’s first star after recording two goals and an assist for a three-point night. Frk, Kirkland, Hunt and Strömgren each recorded multi-point performances.
Gavin White collected his first point in a Wranglers jersey, while newly acquired forward Brennan Othmann picked up his second point in three games with Calgary.
In goal, Arsenii Sergeev made 42 saves on 44 shots for a .955 save percentage, steadying the Wranglers throughout the night. Manitoba starter Domenic DiVincentiis stopped 19 of 25 shots before the Moose turned to their backup, finishing with a .760 save percentage on the night.
The Wranglers continue their homestand Sunday afternoon when they host the Moose again at the Saddledome. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. MT.
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Wranglers Fall 5–2 in Tucson, Set for Sunday Rematch and Busy Holiday Home Stand
The Calgary Wranglers fell 5–2 in Tucson on Saturday night and return to the ice Sunday as a busy holiday stretch continues.
CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers dropped a 5–2 decision to the Tucson Roadrunners on Saturday night at the Tucson Convention Center, opening a holiday back-to-back in Arizona.
Martin Frk paced the Wranglers offensively with a goal and an assist, while Rory Kerins recorded two assists in the loss. Artem Grushnikov added an assist on Frk’s goal, collecting his first point of the season.
Owen Say made the start in goal and stopped 17 of 22 shots, finishing the night with a .773 save percentage as Tucson pulled away.
Calgary is back in action later today, Sunday, December 28, for an immediate rematch with the Roadrunners. Puck drop is set for 4:00 pm MT in Tucson.
The holiday schedule remains busy for the Wranglers following the rematch. Calgary returns home to host the Colorado Eagles on December 30 and January 1 before welcoming Tucson to the Scotiabank Saddledome on January 2. The stretch concludes with a home matinee on January 4, with a 1:00 pm MT puck drop at the Saddledome.
Elsewhere in the hockey world, the World Junior Championship continues today in Minnesota, with Sweden facing Switzerland and Finland taking on Latvia.