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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Secure Big Late Season Win in Brandon

April 13, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


The Moose Jaw Warriors headed into Brandon looking for redemption against the Wheat Kings and they got just that.

The Warriors skated to a 5-2 win over the Wheat Kings on Tuesday night, picking up a big two points in the final week of the regular season.

"Both teams are desperate for points and I thought we looked a little bit nervous to start, it's a young group still, so obviously battle for this one tonight, but that's a real important win," Warriors assistant coach Scott King said after the win.

Despite the slow start, the Warriors were able to build a two-goal lead after the first period as they found their game late in the period.

Warriors forward Eric Alarie finished scored the opening goal and finished with two points in the victory.

He said the team came in motivated to pick up the two points after losing in Brandon on Saturday.

"It feels really good," Alarie said. "We were a little bit pissed off after losing the last game, especially in the way we did, so once we got the lead today, we were sure that we wouldn't give it back to them."

Alarie opened the scoring with his 23rd of the season with 3:05 to play in the first period and then Jagger Firkus scored a highlight reel goal just 2:05 later for his 36th to make it 2-0 after 20.

Brandon struck back early in the second on a power play goal from Nate Danielson, but Ryder Korczak answered right back for Moose Jaw only 58 seconds later.

The back-and-forth continued when Nolan Ritchie cut the lead back down to one only 38 seconds later.

The Warriors held that slim lead heading into the third when Brayden Yager took a feed from Alarie and buried it for his 34th of the season, making it 4-2 with 14:40 to play.

Atley Calvert scored into the empty net with 1:41 remaining in regulation to seal the win.

Carl Tetachuk made some key saves throughout the night, but none bigger than his diving stop in the final two minutes of regulation to keep the Warriors in front by two.

King said the 20-year-old netminder came up huge for his team, making 29 total saves in the win.

"He was good tonight and made a couple of real key saves at the end there to keep the game in hand," he said.

Korczak finished with a goal and three points in the win as the Warriors' veteran top line duo led the charge offensively for the team.

King said they were key to the team success.

"Korczak was reliable, played a two-way game and Eric chipped in as well," he said, "You need your older players to lean on them, we've got a young group still and our older guys carried us tonight."

The win is important in the standings as Moose Jaw now holds down fourth place in the Eastern Conference with two games to play, two points ahead of Saskatoon, who only has one game remaining.

The lowest that the Warriors can finish is fifth, but the team now has the inside track on securing home ice advantage in the first round.

"We're not leaning on anybody else to get the job done for us, we want to do it ourselves," King said.

Alarie said the Warriors are focused on continuing to build momentum to finish the regular season.

"It's up to us to get ready for the playoffs and get some momentum with these last few games," he said.

The Warriors will travel to Lethbridge on Friday and then close out the regular season in Regina on Sunday afternoon.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2022


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