JACKSON HOLE, WYO – It’s do or die for the Jackson Hole Moose as they head into the Black Diamond Hockey League playoffs this weekend.
Two monumental tasks face the Moose as they begin the playoff run with a game against the Bozeman Stingers—the winner moves on to play a rested Sun Valley (sitting on a bye for tonight after Park City cancelled) on Saturday.
Obviously, the Moose cannot look past Bozeman in their quest for the Joe Casey Cup and revenge against their bitter rivals. A Saturday showdown happens only with a win tonight. And that won’t be easy.
Bozeman is a scrappy club that never lets an opponent run and hide. You score, they score. Even when they lose, they always stay within striking distance.
“I think every game they’ve lost this year has been one-goal games. Against us it was two empty-netters at the end,” Moose coach Howie Carruth said. “They play with a lot of pride and they are bringing a talented team here tonight.”
The Moose defeated the Stingers in both meetings (7-5 and 9-7 scores) to start the season way back on November 2-3. Expect tonight’s game to be more defense-minded as both teams will likely be cautious in feeling each other out. A scheduled away pair against Bozeman in February was scrapped due to weather.
If victorious tonight, Jackson will get its eagerly anticipated winner-take-all with the Suns. The teams are evenly-matched and loaded with talent.
The Moose will get a boost tonight with the return from injury of one of their top-scoring forwards, Drew Akins. Despite missing half of the 28 games played by the Moose this year, Akins sits third in scoring with 18 goals and 19 assists.
Akins will skate on the top line that includes AJ Sanders (21G, 43A) and Tom Hartnett (13G, 35A). Alex Dewitz (21G, 13A), Kevin Sunde (13G, 19A), and Dakota Richardson (7G, 14A) will skate on the second line.
Charlie Hagen and Ben Pullar—who have developed a chemistry of late—will skate with Kyle Krauss on the third line. Team captain Brian Upesleja will join Charley Bemis and Miller Resor on the fourth line tonight.
On the blueline, Chase Wharton is enjoying his best season as a Moose. The steady defenseman has posted 4 goals and 23 helpers while anchoring the D. Newcomer Dan Dupont has also contributed offensively from the point. The pair is joined by dependable Nate Goss-Woliner, an emerging Sage Welch, and stay-at-home blueliner Sam Barrett.
Keys to victory:
- Jump on Bozeman early. Sure, every team wants to play with a lead. But Bozeman is one of those teams you do not want to let hang around. The longer you allow them to feel like they are in it, the more confidence you give them. Jackson needs to get a lead, get the crowd into it, and not let off the gas. Because Bozeman will not quit. Ever.
- The Moose are going to need the Nick Krauss they’ve seen in the stretch run this past month or so, and not the one who surrendered 12 goals to the Stingers to open the 2018-19 season.
- AJ has to be AJ. The team’s top scorer was held off the scoresheet last weekend. A reunion with Akins should help the No. 1 center regain his focus and have a breakout weekend.
Bozeman Stingers vs. Jackson Hole Moose, 7:00pm doors and music by Bush Pilots, 7:30pm puck drop. Snow King Sports and Event Center.
