WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors Topple Raiders at the Hangar on Saturday

Published on March 4, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Moose Jaw, SK - The Moose Jaw Warriors returned to the win column on Saturday night.

The Warriors pulled out a gutsy 5-3 win over the Prince Albert Raiders at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

"That was a hard-fought game," Warriors assistant coach Gord Burnett said. "A lot more body checking than usual and I thought our guys handled it well."

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Warriors and moved them within striking distance of a spot in the 2023 WHL Playoffs. If Calgary loses in regulation to Swift Current on Sunday, Moose Jaw secures a spot.

"That's the type of team we are, we bounce back at all times," Warriors forward Tate Schofer said after the game.

Jagger Firkus led the way offensively with a goal and two points, while Eric Alarie, Matthew Gallant, Brayden Yager and Ryder Korczak also scored.

Schofer, Sam Borschowa, Harper Lolacher, Martin Rysavy and Logan Dowhaniuk all registered assists to round out the complete team performance in the win.

"With this game tonight, we proved that we can come back from a three-game deficit, especially this week off that we have, we're going to get back to the little things in practice and everybody's going to buy in," Schofer said.

Burnett said this was an important win for the team's mentality.

"Just for the guys' sake, it's a big two points and a big win for us," he said.

The Warriors started the game strong with Firkus opening the scoring on a shorthanded break just past the midway point of the first period.

Only 1:59 later, Alarie snapped home his 18th of the season to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead after one.

Moose Jaw struck again early in the second period when Gallant buried a rebound for his first goal of the season, extending the Warriors' lead to 3-0.

Burnett credits Gallant for his strong play in a bigger role as of late.

"He's got more of an opportunity and he's been taking advantage of it," he said. "There's no question he has the ability, the skating and the skills."

The Raiders answered 1:58 later when Niall Crocker found the back of the net on the power play.

The Warriors would retake their three-goal lead heading into the third period thanks to a power play goal from Yager, his 25th of the season.

Prince Albert came out firing in the third period with Keaton Sorensen scoring only 18 seconds into the final frame to cut the lead down to two.

The Raiders pulled within one when Evan Herman scored with 7:21 left in regulation.

Despite continued pressure from the Raiders, the Warriors were able to seal the win with an empty net goal from Korczak in the final minute.

Jackson Unger was stellar, making 34 saves, including 28 over the final two periods, in the win.

"We're happy and I'm sure he's happy and it just about building off that and continue to get better and improving every night," Burnett said.

After playing three games in four nights, the Warriors will get the next five days off to prepare for a home-and-home set with the Swift Current Broncos next weekend.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2023


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