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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Finish Regular Season with Trans-Canada Clash

April 17, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


The Moose Jaw Warriors will finish the regular season with a game that doesn't mean anything in the standings.

The Warriors are locked into fourth place and a first round playoff series with the Saskatoon Blades after picking up a single point in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss in Lethbridge.

The Regina Pats, Sunday's opponent, were eliminated from playoff contention with their loss to Winnipeg on Saturday.

While neither team can change their fate, Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said the Warriors need to remain focused heading into the game.

"You can't flip a switch in terms of playing well and playing the right way and doing the exact opposite," he said. "This game means something in terms of building confidence and on Friday, when the puck is dropped, we can look back at what we've done here on Sunday and find confidence in that."

The Warriors want to build confidence and continue to fine tune their game as they prepare for the post-season.

O'Leary said they want to continue to play their game.

"Just like a practice, you want to do things right, do things well and it's no different here," he said. "These are the circumstances we're in right now, but the standards don't change and that's what we expect here."

The Warriors had an up-and-down game in Lethbridge on Friday, coming from behind to take the lead in the third period, before eventually falling in overtime.

O'Leary said Moose Jaw did a good job of generating scoring chances against a tough, defensive team.

"The guys that usually finish in those situations, didn't, but we still got the point that we needed and at the end of the night, that's a big positive," he said.

"It's a learning process towards what it's going to be like in the playoffs, there's pockets of ebbs and flows to a game and it's about grabbing a hold of your identity and just getting down to business when you need to."

The Warriors will play their final regular season game against their biggest rival.

O'Leary said limiting Regina's chances to work on the power play will be key to finish the regular season on a high note.

"The biggest thing you can do is using your stick and the placement of where you are trying to force those shots to come from as far outside as you can," he said. "At the end of the day, you'r going to give up shots on a power play, but if you're doing your job well, you can dictate where those shots are coming from."

The Warriors and Pats meet at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at the Brandt Centre.

Tune into all the action live on Country 100 with Voice of the Warriors James Gallo, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 3:40 p.m.

Check out the Moose Jaw Warriors Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2022


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