Hitmen Finish Ungartaker
By Twitter - @MJWarriorsFun Instagram - @moosejawwarriors_history
Your Moose Jaw Warriors were hosting the always tough Calgary Hitmen, at the Hangar, on Friday night.
Both teams had been winning as of late and were looking for a third straight win.
Moose Jaw came into the showdown having beaten both Lethbridge and Brandon in their last outings.
They were propelled by exceptional performances by Ryder Korczak and Moose Jaw native Atley Calvert and capitalizing on that was definitely a priority.
The Hitmen, led by Riley Fiddler Schultz, sported a respectable record of 20-11-3-1 heading into the game but the last time the two club’s met the Warriors had given them a 9-2 beatdown.
In this game though, the Hitmen weren’t nearly so liberal with letting the goals in and they got right to work trying to put pucks past an incredibly on point Connor Ungar.
After a scoreless first period, Calgary had outshot the hometown Warriors 16-9.
But the Ungartaker was his usual self, a gigantic monster in net; extremely difficult ti beat.
CONNOR UNGAR WAS REMARKABLE AGAIN - PHOTO CREDIT MOOSE JAW WARRIORS
It was “Action” Atley Calvert who broke the deadlock and gave the good guys the lead.
Halfway through period two, Moose Jaw found themselves in the fortunate position of having a man-advantage.
Ryder Korczak shuffled a pass out front to a waiting Calvert, who finished nicely.
The goal was Calvert’s 20th of the season.
ATLEY CALVERT SCORED HIS 20TH GOAL - photo credit MOOSE JAW WARRIORS
It wasn’t long after that that Moose Jaw found themselves in the even more fortunate position of a having a two-man advantage.
But the Hitmen defence and goaltender Ethan Buenaventura were up to the task.
The score remained 1-0 heading into the third. Buenaventura was every bit as tough as Ungar.
ETHAN BUENAVENTURA WAS TOUGH TO SCORE ON
The third period was marked by penalties.
The Warriors had four of them, alternating with Calgary’s three.
Despite the high amount of Power Plays only one goal was scored.
Unfortunately that goal was by the wrong guys.
Riley Fiddler-Schultz evened out the score in the fifth minute. The remainder of the period was back-and-forth hockey, with both goalies keeping form.
After a gritty overtime period in which the Hitmen continued to pepper the Ungartaker with shots, it was concluded that the game would be decided by way of a penalty shootout.
Both goalies were amazing again, each of them saving three shots a piece before, finally, Calgary would get the winner in the fourth set.
The goal courtesy of Hitman RW Zac Funk.
Despite saving 43 of 44 shots, it wasn’t enough.
Ungar’s exceptional performance was all for naught.
The Hitmen took it. Sharpshooter. Submission. Game over. The pink and black attack.
The Warriors host Seattle and their gold medal winners Thomas Milic and Kevin Korchinski on Saturday.
