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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Drop Tight Game 1 in Winnipeg

April 14, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Winnipeg, MB - The Moose Jaw Warriors erased a 3-0 deficit, but couldn't finish off the win in Game 1 of their second round series against Winnipeg.

The ICE scored twice in the third period to score a 5-3 win over the Warriors on Friday night at the Wayne Fleming Arena.

"We gave ourselves a chance going into the third period and they got the first one and kept rolling," Warriors forward Brayden Yager said.

"I thought we played pretty good, there's a couple of times where we kind of killed ourselves, just not getting pucks out and Winnipeg can make you pay when you make mistakes like that."

The Warriors fell behind 3-0 in the first period on goals Owen Pederson, Zach Benson and Matthew Savoie, but Yager scored late in the first period to give the team some momentum heading into the second.

They rode that momentum and tied the game on goals from Max Wanner and Jagger Firkus heading into the third period.

Connor McClennon and Graham Sward scored twice early in the final frame to take the Game 1 win.

"It's tough to score goals, especially in the playoffs and to get two in the second period and give ourselves a chance going into the third period, that's a positive that we can take from the game," Warriors assistant coach Gord Burnett.

The Warriors and ICE played a fast-paced game throughout the 60 minutes to open their second round series.

Burnett said Moose Jaw found their stride as the game went on.

"There's no time to mess around, you've got to get the puck, you've got to move it and you've got to get your feet moving," he said. "They're a good hockey team, but our guys know what it's going to be like the rest of the way and we've got to be prepared first thing at the drop of the puck in Game 2."

After limiting Lethbridge's offensive opportunities in the first round, the Warriors face a different beast in Game 1 against Winnipeg.

Yager said the team needs to tighten up its game defensively after a strong game offensively.

"Once we get out of our zone and get pucks deep, play to our strengths, that's when we were at our best, that's when we were scoring goals, so if we just limit our mistakes in the d-zone, we'll give ourselves a great chance," he said.

"Just knowing that we can play against these guys, we can keep up with them, it gives us a lot of confidence going into tomorrow. It would have been nice to get tonight, but we're going to have a short memory and build up for tomorrow."

Connor Ungar made 32 saves in the loss, while the Warriors fired 29 shots on Winnipeg goalie Daniel Hauser.

Both sides went 1-for-2 on the power play in the game.

The Warriors and ICE will meet for Game 2 on Saturday night at the Wayne Fleming Arena.

Puck drops at 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time. The Pre-Game Show is on the air at 4:40 p.m. on Country 100 and WHL Live.

Fans can catch all the action by heading to Bugsy's Irish Pub and the Crushed Can Rec Room and Bar for watch parties.

Check out the Moose Jaw Warriors Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2023


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