Korczak Leading by Example for Warriors Down the Stretch
Published on April 14, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
With six points in his last three games, Ryder Korczak has taken his game to another level at the most important time of the season.
"I'd say I'm playing playoff hockey," Korczak said.
The 19-year-old forward continued his strong play as of late with a goal, three points and a plus-four rating in Tuesday's win over the Wheat Kings in Brandon.
The Warriors are 20-0-1-1 this season when Korczak has multiple points in a game.
With Warriors captain Daemon Hunt out of the lineup, Korczak, an assistant captain, has taken it on himself to lead the team by example.
"I'm feeling it out there, so helping the younger guys," the New York Rangers' draft pick said. "I'm feeling confident out there, so hopefully I can bring it to these last two games and lead into playoffs."
Korczak has posted multiple points in five of his last ten games and is playing his best hockey of the season over the past month.
"Both him and Eric Alarie are really driving our team right now," Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said.
The duo have played together on the Warriors' top line for most of the season and O'Leary said they're playing hard hockey right now.
"The biggest thing I see is just they're heavy on the puck, when they're at their best, they're hard to take the puck away from, it's on their stick and they have the skill level to know what to do with it."
Korczak and Alarie combined for two goals and five points in the Warriors' 5-2 win in Brandon on Tuesday.
Korczak said the connection with Alarie has been in the works for a long time.
"We've played together for like three years now," he said. "Eric is a good player, he's big, strong, he can move the puck well and everyone knows he can shoot the puck, so I get the puck to him and he can score goals."
Tuesday's win moved the Warriors into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with two games to play, giving them an inside track on securing home ice advantage in the first round of the WHL Playoffs.
Korczak said it was big for the Warriors to pick up the rebound win against the Wheat King after dropping a shootout contest to them on Saturday.
"We showed them how we really play," he said. "That's playoff hockey, we played really well and hopefully we can win two more games."
The Warriors continue their road stretch to finish the regular season with games in Lethbridge and Regina this weekend.
The Hurricanes have had the Warriors' number over the past three meetings. Moose Jaw is 2-2-0-1 against Lethbridge this season, but have lost the past three games against them.
"We need to play quick, that's our game," Korczak said. "Move pucks quick, play quick and get shots on net."
Korczak leads the Warriors into Lethbridge on Friday.
Western Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2022
- Forward Prospect Cole Wadsworth Signs WHL Agreement - Spokane Chiefs
- Rockets Wrap Up Regular Season Schedule - Kelowna Rockets
- Americans to Host Police K9 Night on Saturday - Tri-City Americans
- Korczak Leading by Example for Warriors Down the Stretch - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Winterhawks Announce Home Playoff Games on April 22 & 23 - Portland Winterhawks
- 2022 Team Awards Announced - Seattle Thunderbirds
- WHL Live Packages Now Available for 2022 WHL Playoffs - WHL
- Thunderbirds Silence Giants - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Raiders Hand out Year-End Awards for 2021-22 Regular Season - Prince Albert Raiders
- Red Deer Scores Early, Then Often to Top Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
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