Warriors Squander Another One
By @MJWarriorsFun (Twitter) @moosejawwarriors_history (Instagram)
The 2022-23 Red Deer Rebels are a pretty exceptional hockey team. They are 14-0 to start the season; the league’s only undefeated team. One of those wins came against your Moose Jaw Warriors. They dumped them 4-2 in the middle of October.
However, that game was definitely one the Warriors could have won.
They were the better team for most of that game they just couldn’t keep out of the penalty box and the Rebels made them pay for it on the scoreboard. That was one of those games the Warriors likely wish they could have back.
Instead of a mulligan, we were treated to a second battle between the clubs and a great chance for redemption.
It’s worth mentioning that the Winnipeg Ice, who were 14-1 as of Saturday November 5th, suffered their only loss to the Warriors. Your hometown club was in the position to become the league’s giant killers. A win over the best team in the league makes you the best team in the league; or something like that.
The first battle of the evening wasn’t on the ice rather it was with the ice; the ice outside the building, that is. Blustering snow and frosty wind outside the Moose Jaw Events Centre had plenty of Warriors faithful shivering into their sweaters and hankering for a $3.50 cup of arena hot chocolate.
On the ice, it didn’t take long for the Warriors to open the scoring when Brayden Yager scored his seventh of the season, less than two minutes into things. Eric Alarie and Jagger Firkus recorded assists on the goal.
Brayden Yager scored early - photo credit Twitter
The business on the ice was relatively even with both teams having a few good chances to score. None closer than when Jayden Grubbe’s grubby hands put a shot on Connor Ungar that trickled out from under his arm. The crowd gasped as the loose puck rolled, slowly into the post, before Ungar noticed and collected it in his glove.
Near the end of the first period, Rebel net-minder Kyle Kelsey took issue with Jagger Firkus skating a little too close to him and he plunked him in the face with his stick. That little outburst gave the tribe their first man advantage of the game but the Warriors were unable to capitalize on it before the buzzer sounded to signal the intermission.
Red Deer definitely came into the second period as the aggressors, not ready to just hand over that perfect season without a fight. But Carson Birnie drew a penalty and Atley Calvert stuck it to them for the insurance marker. The goal was the Action Man’s 7th; meaning he, Yager and Firkus were all tied as team leader in Goals.
Atley Calvert scored his 7th - photo credit Twitter
The celebration hadn’t even settled when Josh Hoekstra took a Holding penalty, giving the Rebels a man up. By that point though the momentum had swung entirely in the Warriors favour and they shut it down without much trouble.
Lucas Brenton got booked for Roughing shortly after that and it seemed as if it was Moose Jaw on the Power Play because they were certainly in control of the puck more.
The penalties cost the Warriors the game against Red Deer the last time they met and when Riley Ginnell took a third one in less than ten minutes, the fans started getting a little irritated. A sense of impending doom encapsulated the arena. The Warriors were doing it again,
After killing that Power Play off a Warriors miscue led to Kai Uchacz scoring his 13th of the season. Bringing the lead to within one.
After that the Warriors took another dumb penalty. The fourth of the period; practically gift-wrapping scoring opportunities for Red Deer.
Much credit to Connor Ungar and a determined defence for holding the live. It’s a mystery how they escaped that period without inflicting more damage. Somehow, Moose Jaw had played half a period short-handed, squandered a room full of momentum and still went to the change room with a lead.
Don’t worry though, the Warriors made sure to give the lead up. Halfway through the third, with the Warriors looking stagnant and bored, they coughed up a short-handed breakaway to Jace Isley and he made sure puck hit mesh.
Then, as sure as the snow in winter, Red Deer scored again to take the lead. Judging by the lack of a reaction from the crowd, I think it’s safe to say the people knew it was coming. Moose Jaw was out of gas and outclassed and Red Deer took advantage of it. The scorer, again, was Jace Isley.
Jace Isley scored twice in the third period - photo credit Twitter
Nathan Pilling, showing some gusto late in the game, scooped a puck up from his own end the hustled himself into a scoring chance before being hooked by Jayden Grubbe, drawing a much valued Power Play.
The tribe pulled the goalie, giving themselves a two-man advantage in the final minutes but they could never settle the puck down and get anything working. Then, they coughed up a fourth goal.
It was another frustrating night at the Hangar as the Warriors lack of discipline, heart, confidence and character led to them blowing a lead and blowing a great opportunity to beat the toughest team in the league.
On the way out of the arena I heard a young kid shout “I hate the Rebels”. Me too kid. But I certainly respect their seriousness as a team. They were the far superior team when it mattered most.
The Warriors next game is Tuesday night, at the Hangar, against the Edmonton Oil Kings.