FAST FACTS: Moose at Milwaukee – Division Semifinal Game 1

By: Manitoba Moose Staff | Published: May 6th 2022

The Calder Cup Playoffs are finally here with the Manitoba Moose and Milwaukee Admirals ready to do battle in the Central Division Semifinals. The Moose claimed the regular season series by a 7-4-1-0 mark in 12 meetings this season. Manitoba picked up wins in four of six games in Milwaukee this season. It’s just the second time the teams meet in the playoffs, with their previous clash coming back in 1999 in the IHL. Coverage of tonight’s 7 p.m. CT matchup on 680 CJOB, AHLTV and the Manitoba Moose App gets going at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Tickets for Game 3 and, if necessary, Games 4 and 5 at Canada Life Centre are available at MooseHockey.com/TICKETS.

Playoff Experience

Manitoba’s focus shifts over to the playoffs, where the Moose face the Milwaukee Admirals. In terms of AHL playoff experience, the squad can rely on Luke Johnson to set the tone. The forward played in 13 contests in 2018 with Rockford and recorded eight points (4G, 4A) and one game-winner in that span.  Evan Polei can call upon 10 games with Bakersfield in 2019 and also has a playoff game-winner under his belt. Jimmy Oligny and C.J. Suess each claim three games of their own with Milwaukee and Manitoba respectively. Rounding out the group are Mikey Eyssimont and Markus Phillips, who both suited up in the 2021 Pacific Division playoffs with Ontario.

Bird is the Word

Mikhail Berdin put together a pair of strong performances against Abbotsford to close our the regular season. The netminder gave up a single goal on Thursday, before blanking the Canucks on Saturday on the back of a 6-0 win. Berdin ended the regular season with a 19-10-2 record to go along with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. He also set a new career high mark with four shutouts on the campaign, which placed the goaltender in a tie for third overall in the entire AHL. Berdin’s 32 games played was the second-most of his career to date, with his 75 goals against…