WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Open Four-Game Home-Stand on Tuesday

October 10, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Moose Jaw, SK - After playing just two home games in their first seven games this season, the Moose Jaw Warriors are preparing to settle in for an extended stretch on home ice.

Moose Jaw opens a four-game home-stand on Tuesday when the Calgary Hitmen come to the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

"Everybody's more comfortable at home, that's for sure, but most importantly, it's just about staying in the moment and taking it one game at a time," Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said.

"It's nice not to have to travel, you want to be around our own rink, get some practice time in, play games in front of our own fans, that's fun, but at the same time, we just have to take care of business."

The Warriors are coming off a split of their two-game road trip to Alberta that saw the team drop a 4-0 game in Lethbridge on Friday and then top Medicine Hat, 4-3, on Saturday.

Newly acquired defenceman Kalem Parker said the team did a good job of responding in the second game.

"I thought we bounced back early in the second game and it feels good to get a win," he said.

Parker and Brayden Schuurman jumped into the Warriors' lineup after being acquired in a trade on Thursday.

Parker said it was an adjustment to go from the Royals to the Warriors in a day.

"Obviously going right on the road trip with the guys, that's a good bonding experience, but not practicing very much and just away games, it's tough, but it's going good so far," he said.

Parker scored in Saturday's win.

O'Leary said both players made an immediate impact in the lineup.

"They came as advertised, on the competitive side of things, both of those guys bring that and that's going to be real important for us down the stretch," he said.

The Warriors will face-off with the Hitmen for the first time this season to open up the team's home stretch.

O'Leary said Calgary will make the Warriors work for their chances.

"Everything that they get, they earn, it starts with their forecheck, their effort, their determination around pucks, that's where it starts for them," he said.

"If we're careless with pucks, we're trying to do things that are a little bit off script, we're going to be in trouble with the way that they work, so we expect a hard fought game."

The Warriors and Hitmen face-off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. Click here to purchase tickets.

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




Western Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2023


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