Warriors Starting to Prepare for Second Round
April 8, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
Moose Jaw, SK - After a day off on Thursday, the Moose Jaw Warriors were back on the ice on Friday morning, beginning their preparations for the second round of the 2023 WHL Playoffs.
"Right now it's about a little bit of rest and recovery, but stay sharp," Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said after practice on Friday. "We need to stay on top of our game, take the opportunity to rest a little bit, make sure that we're feeling good going into game one."
This is the second straight season that the Warriors have advanced into the second round. The team lost in five games to Winnipeg last season, which is still fuel for this year's team.
"We've got a bad taste in our mouth from last year, every guy that was here last year knows that," Warriors forward Atley Calvert said.
O'Leary said the Warriors are ready for the challenge in front of them.
"I liked our game int he first round, but we know it gets a whole lot harder from here," he said.
The Warriors' second round opponent is still unknown. Right now, the team is focused on building off its play during the first round sweep of Lethbridge.
"Our details definitely got a lot better as the series went on, especially in our zone," Calvert said. "We did a real good job of closing quick and clogging things up in the middle."
The focus for the team coming into the playoffs was to reset after each game and just go game-by-game. That worked out well for the team in the first round as they seemed to get stronger each game against the Hurricanes.
"Winning rounds is hard, but sweeping is harder because there's a team on the other side that's very competitive, the more games they lose, the more competitive and urgent and desperate they get," O'Leary said. "I'm just real proud of our group, their ability to reset, stay on the gas and to win four straight is a great accomplishment for the guys."
After a thrilling double overtime win in Game 1 against Lethbridge, the Warriors outscored the Hurricanes, 16-5, over the final three games.
The Hurricanes play a physical style, but O'Leary said the Warriors pushed back.
"That was the challenge we talked about heading into the series was we're going to have to be able to get inside and score some dirty goals and play disciplined within our structure," he said. "You have to take a bump that you don't really like and I thought our guys did that, especially in Lethbridge, we didn't take a backward step, we stayed right in there and fought to the end."
The next challenge for Moose Jaw will be staying sharp with a week break from game action before the start of the second round.
Calvert said the team is prepared for it.
"Every day, try and get a little bit better and stay sharp in the dressing room and have a little fun at the same time," he said.
After Red Deer advanced with an overtime win in Game 5 against Calgary on Friday, the Warriors' second round opponent will be either Winnipeg or Red Deer, depending on who prevails in the Saskatoon-Regina series.
The Blades and Pats will play Game 6 on Saturday night in Regina with Saskatoon leading the series, 3-2, after winning 4-2 in Game 5 on Friday.
Western Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2023
- Hawks Advance to Round 2 with 3-2 OT Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Warriors Starting to Prepare for Second Round - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Pats Host Blades in Elimination Game, Down 3-2 in Series - Regina Pats
- Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 5 vs. Everett - Portland Winterhawks
- Palmer Records 27-Save Shutout, Tips Stay Alive with 5-0 Victory - Everett Silvertips
- Hawks Stumble in Game 4, Can Advance on Home Ice Tomorrow - Portland Winterhawks
- Hitmen Eliminated from 2023 WHL Playoffs - Calgary Hitmen
- Blades Blow Roof of Of SaskTel Centre, Move Within One Win of Round 2 - Saskatoon Blades
- Blades Take 3-2 Series Lead - Regina Pats
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