Warriors Squander Lead - Drop Game One

By Nick Murray

SASKATOON - Playoff hockey was in the air all across western Canada on Friday March 22nd, as the WHL postseason began.

Your Moose Jaw Warriors were on the Ice at the Sasktel Centre in Blade City where they were matched up against the Saskatoon Blades for the first game in a best-of-seven series.

Read: Warriors vs Blades: A Series Breakdown

https://www.mjindependent.com/sports/2019/3/11/9vvmr1372ciavohsjg3ryrea6a5g6e

Brodan Salmond got the start for the Warriors and after a grueling first period, which left both teams scoreless, it was hard to deny that Tim Hunter had made a good decision. But the youngster, Nolan Maier, was every bit as effective between the pipes for the opposition.

Things started looking great for the Warriors early in period two. At 3:03 Luke Ormsby set up a Kaeden Taphorn goal. Then, just over a minute after that, Eric Alarie scored his first ever WHL goal; it was a big one too. Assists came from Josh Brook and Tristan Langan. Moose Jaw was up 2-0.

The lead seemed to spark a flame under the Blades' collective asses, as they started to mount some intense offensive pressure. The pressure ultimately led to Max Gerlach, the "Texan Sniper", taking advantage of a Josh Brook interference penalty, and zapping a wrister over Salmond's glove, cutting the lead in half.

Saskatoon kept the pressure on but Salmond was able to keep any more pucks put of the net. The second period ended with Moose Jaw leading 2-1. This game was a battle.

Early in the third frame, Cameron Sterling was called for tripping, handing the Blades an excellent opportunity to even things out. But solid defense and a pair of saves from Salmons was all Moose Jaw needed to maintain the advantage.

Disaster struck at 11:48, when the big former Warrior Brandon Schuldhaus dumped a pick toward the net and set Riley McKay up to tie things at 2.

It was clear that the longer this game went, the more it favoured Saskatoon. The Blades' depth slowly wearing down on the Warriors limited threats.
It was an ugly period for the Warriors. One in which they could only conjure up one shot on goal. But they still managed to drag it into overtime without squandering the lead.

The Blades finished off the comeback with a goal in the third minute from Chase Wouters.

Game one in the books. 3-2 Saskatoon.

Next game is tomorrow night.