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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Look for Redemption against Wheat Kings

September 29, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Moose Jaw, SK - For the second straight home game to open the season, the Moose Jaw Warriors will welcome in the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday night.

The Warriors will be looking for redemption after a lopsided loss to Brandon last Saturday in the team's home opener.

"It's a different team playing them [Friday night] than it was last weekend," Warriors forward Jagger Firkus said.

Firkus returned to the Warriors' lineup on Wednesday after returning from training camp with the NHL's Seattle Kraken.

The Warriors also expect to have Brayden Yager back in the lineup after being reassigned by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

Firkus returned with a bang, finishing with a goal and three points in the Warriors' comeback win over Regina.

"It was a big game for us, we all knew going into that game that we want to get back on the right track and obviously it was a big win for us," Firkus said.

Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said getting Firkus and Yager back from the NHL allows the forward group to find it's roles for the season.

"They're both line drivers, whether they're playing together or apart, they drive offence and they make those around them better players," he said. "Adding those guys to the lineup makes our a little bit more confident and well rounded up front for sure."

After dropping both games on the opening weekend, the Warriors returned to form on Wednesday in Regina.

O'Leary said the team settled into its game more during the win.

"Jackson [Unger] made some big saves, he was certainly our best player the whole night, but especially in the first period, he gave us a chance to find out game," he said.

"We know how Regina plays, they throw a lot of stuff to the net and I liked how we were there to clean up any loose change and make sure that it was just one chance."

Heading into Friday's rematch with the Wheat Kings, the Warriors know cleaning up its game in transition will be a big key.

"Going against Regina, I thought we did a much better job of [tracking the rush], starting in the offensive zone, making sure we had the depth, that we weren't giving up a lot of looks coming back the other way," O'Leary said.

"Coming back into our zone, tracking the rush with detail against Brandon is going to be real important."

The Warriors and Wheat Kings battle on Friday night at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

If you can't make it to the rink, you can catch all the action on Country 100 and WHL Live, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:40 p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2023


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