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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Battle Broncos in Weekend Home-And-Home

December 10, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Momentum is on the Moose Jaw Warriors' side after the team scored a gutsy win over the Brandon Wheat Kings to start the week.

The Warriors are now preparing to face-off with the Swift Current Broncos in a weekend home-and-home series, starting on Friday night at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex.

Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said the team carried the feeling from Wednesday's one-goal win over Brandon into Thursday's practice.

"I really liked our life here, we didn't practice long, but the energy was there, the execution was there and that's all it'll take on Friday," he said.

The Warriors and Broncos split their home-and-home two weekends ago.

After losing in their last trip to Swift Current, Moose Jaw knows it will take a strong effort to come away with two points on Friday.

"I like our structure, our guys, they know where to be and it's just a matter of executing once you get there," O'Leary said.

Brayden Yager scored the game-winning goal for the Warriors on Wednesday. The 16-year-old forward now has 11 goals in 22 games this season.

He said the Warriors need to build off how they played over the final 30 minutes against the Wheat Kings.

"Swift is going to battle hard," Yager said.

The Warriors started slow against the Wheat Kings on Wednesday, trailing early in the game with Brandon dominating the shot clock, but Moose Jaw found its game as the night wore on.

Two goals in 37 seconds late in the second period was all the Warriors need to turn the tide in their favour.

"It wasn't our best start, but in the second period, we started to ramp it up and we need up playing a good last 40 minutes," Yager said.

"We started talking to each other, making sure we were dialled in and I thought we did a pretty good job."

O'Leary said he liked how the Warriors finished the game and wants to see that carry over into Swift Current.

"I liked our work without the puck, we were in good spots in the defensive zone and really above the puck for a lot of the night, so they didn't get a whole lot," he said.

"Once our execution started to get there, I though we got better as the game went on."

The Warriors will play in their third Teddy Bear Toss game on Friday when they head to Swift Current and then host the Broncos for their own on Saturday night.

That isn't lost on the players.

"We've got two Teddy Bear Toss nights, so it will be nice to win," Yager said.

The Warriors and Broncos face-off at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex. Tune into all the action on Country 100, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:40 p.m.

Saturday is the Warriors' annual Teddy Bear and Toque Toss Night at Mosaic Place in support of the Salvation Army. Tickets are available at mjwarriors.ca or the Mosaic Place Box Office.

Check out the Moose Jaw Warriors Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2021


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