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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Pick up Comeback Win over Blazers

December 11, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


The Moose Jaw Warriors fought back from a 4-0 2nd period deficit to beat the Kamloops Blazers 5-4 in overtime at Mosaic Place.

The Warriors had some pressure in the early moments of the first period, but as the frame continued, Kamloops used their speed to rush up the ice on the attack which led to a 20-6 advantage on the shot clock.

Just over seven minutes into the game, the Warriors turned the puck over inside their zone, Kamloops used that to their advantage as they set up Sean Strange for a shot from the top of the left circle that found the back of the net.

Close to two minutes later, Josh Pillar led an odd-man rush up the ice for the Blazers.  The Warman, Saskatchewan product took a shot from the right circle, Adam Evanoff made the initial save but with the puck in the air, Pillar drove the net and swatted the puck over the goal line to extend their lead.

Down a pair to start the second, the Warriors came out hard and created early opportunities but they were not able to sneak the puck over the goal line.

Instead, Kamloops picked up an early power-play goal from Ryan Hughes and then Josh Pillar scored at 8:11 to give them a 4-0 lead.

With their backs against the wall, the Warriors started to fight back.

At 9:56, Libor Zabransky took a shot from the right Blazer line that made its way on the net.  Garrett Wright was able to knock in the rebound, his first as a Warriors got the home team on the board.

Just shy of two minutes later, 17-year-old defenceman Cole Jordan was able to get a shot through traffic and on the Blazer net.  The puck went off goalie Rayce Ramsay and then deflected off Captain Owen Hardy and bounced over the goal line.

41 seconds later, Jordan was able to get another shot through from the left line, this time Hardy picked it up on the right side of the net and scored his second of the game and 16th of the season to pull the Warriors to within one.

Kamloops outshot the Warriors 14-6 in the third period but at times the Warriors were able to create quality looks at the Blazers net.

With seven minutes left in regulation, the Warriors landed on the power-play and they made it work to their advantage.

They moved the puck around the Blazers' zone and eventually set up Brayden Tracey in the high-slot where he ripped a shot to the back of the net to tie the game at four.

Both teams pushed for the rest of the third period but neither were able to pick up a game-winner.

Inside the final minute of regulation, Owen Hardy had a big hit on a Blazer that drew a reaction penalty to put the Warriors on the man advantage.

Moose Jaw's power-play carried over to overtime and 19 seconds into the extra period the Warriors ended the game.

Brayden Tracey dangled his way through the neutral zone and came across the Kamloops right line.  The Anaheim Ducks 2019 1st round pick dance around a Blazer defender and then let a shot go from inside the circle that beat the blocker of goalie Rayce Ramsey to complete the comeback.

Tracey finished with a goal and three points, Owen Hardy had two goals, Ryder Korczak, Cole Jordan and two assists each, and Adam Evanoff made 48 saves.

Moose Jaw was 2-for-3 on the power-play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill.

The team has the next two days off to get ready for a pair of games coming up on the weekend.

Friday they will make the trip east to Brandon where they will take on the Wheat Kings, and then on Saturday, they are back at home to finish their pre-Christmas schedule with their only meeting of the season against the Memorial Cup hosting Kelowna Rockets.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2019


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