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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Ready for Test against Central-Leading Oil Kings

November 13, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


The Moose Jaw Warriors will attempt to be the wall at the end of a strong run for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the East Division this week.

The Central Division's top team has collected points in the first three games of its four-in-five road trip to Saskatchewan.

"They're a deep team and we're going to have to bring our 'A' game," Warriors forward Atley Calvert said after practice on Friday.

The Warriors are coming off a 5-2 loss against Red Deer on Tuesday and are well rested going into Saturday's matchup.

In Tuesday's loss, Moose Jaw put a number of quality chances on the Rebels' net, but were stifled for a lot of the game.

"I liked our game, we created enough scoring chances to win the hockey game," Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said. "It was just those small details of mostly just being in the right spots."

O'Leary said Red Deer was played a structured game and it benefited them in the end.

"To their credit, they've been together, a few of those guys, for a while now and that's what you want to see, improvement over time and playing as one," he said. "We've taken steps in that area, but certainly they've taken it one more step for sure."

Going into Saturday's meeting with Edmonton, the Warriors are expecting more of the same from another veteran-laden squad.

"They're well structured, they're hungry for some success that they can actually celebrate," O'Leary said. "They have a lot of high end skill on their team and they're willing to work and compete as well."

"We're expecting a tough game, they're a really good team," Warriors forward Cade Hayes said. "We're going to have to bring our best effort and clean up the little details and just work hard."

The Oil Kings received a big boost before Friday's 6-3 win in Regina as they saw the return of captain Jake Neighbours from the NHL's St. Louis Blues.

Neighbours extended his point streak to 20 games with an assist on Friday after posting 33 points in 19 games last season.

"First and foremost, it's leadership from him," O'Leary said. "I'm sure that'll give their team a little bit of juice, but they're rolling along pretty well already, so that will be just another cog in the wheel."

The Warriors will also be tasked with figuring out goaltender Sebastian Cossa.

Hayes said making life difficult on the NHL first round pick will be key.

"The biggest thing is just to get bodies in front of them, get pucks on net, just throw the puck on net, you know what will happen," he said.

The Warriors and Oil Kings face-off at 7 p.m. on Saturday night at Mosaic Place.

Tune into Country 100 for all the action, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:40 p.m.

The IKS Media Warriors Live broadcast on WHL Live also kicks off with the Mosaic Pre-Game Show at 6:50 p.m.

The Warriors will be wearing the CHL Leave Your Mark fan designed jerseys during the game. The jerseys are currently up for auction at thecrushedcan.com until Sunday at 9 p.m.

Check out the Moose Jaw Warriors Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2021


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