Sports stats



WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Open Stretch Run to Playoffs against Brandon

March 1, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Moose Jaw, SK - The final month of the regular season has arrived with the Moose Jaw Warriors preparing to open the stretch drive to the playoffs with ten games left.

The Warriors host the Brandon Wheat Kings to kick-off their March schedule on Wednesday night at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

"We're excited for the playoffs, but obviously we still have business to take care of this month," Warriors forward Ryder Korczak said. "These are some huge points for us here for home ice advantage, so we just need to keep rolling."

The Warriors enter the final month of the season sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, five points in front of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Warriors defenceman Logan Dowhaniuk said the team needs to be playing with a playoff mentality now.

"Just building up confidence and trying to get a couple of wins under our belt and get ready to go for the playoffs," he said.

The Warriors are coming off a split of their weekend set against the Swift Current Broncos, winning at home on Friday and then falling in Swift Current on Saturday.

Head coach Mark O'Leary said the Warriors did a good job of limiting the Broncos' chances, but couldn't finish on their opportunities.

"I thought we actually played better in the second game than we did in the first, we carried the play most of the night, aside from two tough shifts in the first period," he said.

"What I liked about both was we didn't give up a whole lot of scoring chances and that's the key for these last ten games going into the playoffs is limit opportunities."

Despite getting shutout for just the second time this season, the Warriors are confident in their approach offensively.

"We just need to get a little more net presence, but keep shooting the puck and we're generating chances, so the puck will definitely go in here soon," Korczak said.

On Wednesday, the Warriors will face the Wheat Kings, who are currently in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind the final playoff spot.

Dowhaniuk said controlling the neutral zone against Brandon will be key for the Warriors.

"Just doing the smart plays, not looking for better options, just take the first one and playing fast," he said.

O'Leary said limiting turnovers at the offensive blue line will be key to limiting Brandon's chances to work in transition.

"Finishing on top on our forecheck and smart decisions with our depth on our tracking, if we do those things, limit their opportunities off the rush then we'll be in good shape," he said.

The Warriors and Wheat Kings square off on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

Tune into the game live on WHL Live and Country 100, starting with the IKS Media Warriors Live Pre-Game Show at 6:45 p.m. on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Check out the Moose Jaw Warriors Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central