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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Set for Trans-Canada Clash in Regina

February 10, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


For the first time since December, the Trans-Canada Clash reignites on Saturday night in the Queen City.

The Moose Jaw Warriors will travel into Regina to take on the Pats in front of a sold-out crowd at the Brandt Centre.

"It's always super exciting playing against Regina, it's going to be a full barn, some loud fans, so it'll be exciting," Warriors forward Brayden Yager said.

With close to 6,500 fans expected to fill the building, Yager said how the Warriors start the game will be very important.

"If we can gain some momentum right off the bat, silence the crowd early, it will take us a long way," he said. "Hopefully there's some Moose Jaw fans there and they'll be cheering, but if we can gain some momentum quick, it'll set us up well for the rest of the game."

After making a run to a WHL Championship last season with Edmonton, Warriors defenceman Logan Dowhaniuk has experience playing in hostile environments. He said the Warriors should try to feed off the energy.

"Playing in Seattle was pretty crazy, so going in there and sucking in all that energy, it's pretty fun for sure," he said.

Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said the players are looking forward to the atmosphere.

"You hear the players talking about, they know it's going to be a big crowd, a playoff atmosphere and that's what you want," he said. "You're in the last quarter of the season here, we want to gear up for the fun time, playoffs and it's nights like this that make it easy to get up for."

The Warriors are riding a three-game winning streak and have picked up wins in five of their last six games heading into the showdown with the Pats, who are 6-3-0-1 in their last ten games and coming off a loss in Medicine Hat last Sunday.

After Wednesday's 6-3 win over Edmonton, O'Leary said Moose Jaw needs to continue to focus on its execution.

"We're creating quality scoring chances, I liked our last game in terms of playing off the shot, but our structure and our compete without the puck is going to be real important," he said.

Defending against the Pats' offence is going to be a key for the Warriors.

Dowhaniuk said the best way to counter Regina is to take the attack to them.

"Being physical, getting on their D quick, making them turnover pucks, getting pucks through and creating chances for ourselves," he said. "Capitalizing on those and we should be good."

The Pats attack off the rush and put pressure on their opponents in transition. Yager said the Warriors will need to focus on their puck management.

"You don't really want to be turning pucks over in dangerous spots because they have a couple of guys that can put the puck in the back of the net," he said. "Coming back, making sure we pick up our guys, especially as forwards coming back, picking up that late guy is super important."

The Warriors and Pats square off at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Tune into all the action on Country 100 and WHL Live, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:40 p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2023


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