Warriors Squeak One Out
By @MJWarriorsFun (Twitter) @moosejawwarriors_history (Instagram)
Your Moose Jaw Warriors were in Prince Albert, at the Art Hauser Centre, on Friday Nov. 4th to battle the hometown Raiders.
The Warriors were looking to overcome an ugly 6-2 loss to Tri-City in their last outing. The Raiders, on the otherhand, have struggled in the deep waters of the WHL’s East Division. Coming into the game they had only recorded 4 wins. The scene was set perfectly for the Warriors to turn their fortunes around and get back into the win column.
Atley Calvert looking for a shot on Max Hildebrand - photo credit Twitter
As has been common for the Warriors, they found themselves trailing as a result of an early penalty. Jagger Firkus was called for Slashing at 14:23 of the First Period and Landon Kosior, Prince Albert’s top point producer, made them pay for it, putting the Raiders on top.
Robert Baco evened the score three minutes later, firing a shot from the slot that Raider goalie Max Hildebrand couldn’t keep track of. The goal was the Czech’s second of the season.
Robert Baco scored his second goal of the season - photo credit Twitter
Half way through the second period Prince Albert regained the advantage. Nolan Allan, a selection of the Chicago Blackhawks, was given a bit too much open ice and found a home for his wrist shot in the back of the net, beating Warriors goalie Connor Ungar, gloveside.
Five minutes into Period 3 Riley Ginnell tied the score once again. The big Ginnell scooped up a loose puck along the boards and muscled his way in front of the Raiders goalie, where he was able to force the puck into the net. That goal was Ginnell’s first as a Warrior. The 20 year old came to the team from the Brandon Wheat Kings two games into the season, and after 7 games hadn’t scored a point. Ginnell scored 34 points the year before.
Riley Ginnell broke out of a slump and scored his first goal since joining the Warriors - photo credit Twitter
Shortly after that, with the Raiders on another Power Play, the Warriors Managed to catch them up-ice and off-guard. Jagger Firkus and Martin Rysavy broke out on a 2-on-1. Firkus beat the goalie, for his now team leading 7th marker of the season.
You’d think a short-handed goal might deflate a team’s spirit but Prince Albert handled it professionally and bounced back strong. They peppered Ungar late but couldn’t get one by him. The Warriors held on for the 3-2 win.
The Warriors started slow and looked shaky at times but they still pulled out the win. However, it definitely wasn’t a decisive victory. The Warriors improved their record to 9-5.
Jagger Firkus scored his team leading 7th goal - photo credit Twitter
The game’s 3 stars were Raiders D Landon Kosior, Raiders D Nolan Allan and Jagger Firkus.
The Warriors will be back at home on Saturday November 5th to take on the 13-0 Red Deer Rebels.
With Jagger Firkus netting his team leading 7th goal of the season, here is an updated top-scorers list.
Jagger Firkus 7
Atley Calvert 6
Brayden Yager 6
Ben Riche 3
Nathan Pilling 3
Eric Alarie 3
Warriors Notes
Rookies Marek Howell and Lynden Lakovic were both invited to the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and would therefore miss the game. In their absence, Brady Ness and Owen Berge were playing.
Coach Mark O’Leary will be coaching a team at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Assistant Coaches Gord Burnett & Scott King were in charge.