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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Battle Raiders to Open Weekend

January 5, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Moose Jaw, SK - After an exciting day for the organization on Thursday with the acquisition of Matthew Savoie, the Moose Jaw Warriors will look to build on the team's four-game winning streak.

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The Warriors host the Prince Albert Raiders at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Friday night.

Head coach Mark O'Leary said there's an air of excitement around the team after the blockbuster deal.

"It's real exciting, first and foremost for the players, anytime you acquire a player like that, it gives the room a little bit of juice," O'Leary said.

The Warriors have returned from the Christmas break on a high note, winning all three games last week, including a hard fought 2-1 win over the Raiders in Prince Albert last Saturday.

O'Leary said the team will be looking to build off those three games.

"Out of the games that we've played since the Christmas break, that was our most complete game, we were real proud of the group, it was a hard fought game, it was a tight game, but I just thought, looking for consistency in how we play, we did that for 60 minutes," he said.

The Warriors followed that up by opening 2024 with an overtime win in Regina on Monday.

Newly acquired forward Rilen Kovacevic picked up his first goal with the Warriors in Monday's win. He had two points in his first three games with the team.

"It feels good, it takes a lift off your shoulders and makes you lucky once you get the first one out of the way," he said.

"All the guys are great, they've made me feel right at home."

Kovacevic brings a hard nosed game to the Warriors' lineup and he said he's looking forward to another showdown with the Raiders on Friday night.

"We're expecting a tough, physical, gritty game from them, they have a few guys that can put the puck in the back of the net and they catch you at times, so we've got to look out for that too and be physical," he said.

The Warriors and Raiders meet at 7 p.m. on Friday night at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

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