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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Open WHL Playoffs against Wheat Kings

March 28, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Moose Jaw, SK - The Moose Jaw Warriors entered this season with their sights on securing an elusive first championship for the organization.

Now after 68 regular season games, the team begins the final push as they open the 2024 Western Hockey League playoffs on Friday night against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

"This is the best time of year, everybody's super excited," Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk said.

The Warriors finished with the second best record in the Eastern Conference. They put together a stellar second half to the regular season that saw the team go 26-7-0-1 over their final 34 games.

Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said the team learned key lessons during the first half that helped them become a better team.

"When you go through those tough times, you certainly don't want to see them, it's not a whole lot of fun, but looking back, you're certainly grateful for the opportunity to dig through those moments," he said.

For the past two seasons, the Warriors saw their season end in the second round at the hands of the Winnipeg ICE.

Mateychuk said there were good lessons for the returnees in both those series about what it takes to win in the post-season.

"Consistency and work ethic are the two biggest things," he said. "You have to come in and work every night, you can't take nights off, you've got to be consistent for 60 minutes because five minutes could change a game."

The Warriors' first-round opponent won't be an easy one as they prepare to take on the Wheat Kings.

Moose Jaw split the eight-game season series with Brandon as both teams went 4-3-1, including the Wheat Kings winning the final meeting of the season last Thursday.

"They've played us tough all season long," O'Leary said. "As far as DNA and how they like to play, our puck management, making sure we have offensive zone depth will be really important and like any playoff match-up, making sure we own the blue paint at both ends of the rink."

The Warriors' work in the second half allowed them to get home ice advantage and open the playoffs at the Hangar for the third straight year.

Mateychuk said that will provide a big boost.

"Playing in your home rink in front of your home fans gets you fired up," he said. "We've had great crowds as of late, so that always helps you get going."

The Warriors and Wheat Kings will meet for Game 1 on Friday night and Game 2 on Saturday at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. The series will then shift to Westoba Place in Brandon for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

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