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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