Frustrating Warriors Effort Ruined By Bad Penalties
Being a Warriors fan has its downsides
By @MJWarriorsFun (Twitter) @moosejawwarriors_history (Instagram)
Your Moose Jaw Warriors were looking to get back on track after an ugly outing in Saskatoon on Thanksgiving. They were blessed with a pair of home games, Friday and Saturday, at the Hangar. Ample opportunity to turn things around.
Friday’s game wasn’t going to be easy though. They were up against the undefeated Red Deer Rebels, led by Jhett Larsen and Jace Islay. Twice this season the Warriors have taken on undefeated teams and both times they’ve won. The first was on opening night when they dumped the Regina Pats and then again when they beat the 5-0 Winnipeg Ice on October 9th. The task may have been difficult, but there was no team better equipped than the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The first period was marked mostly by Moose Jaw killing off Power Plays with stellar defense and steady goaltending.
All that hard worked turned into a few scoring opportunities; one of which they capitalized on. In the waning seconds of the period Jagger Firkus took a pass from Denton Mateychuk, floated through the neutral zone and fired a zinger over Rebels goalie, Kyle Kelsey’s blocker, to put Moose Jaw up 1-0.
The second period started the way the first one did, with Moose Jaw taking another penalty. This time it was Nathan Pilling getting called for slashing. But, as with the last three, Moose Jaw killed it off.
Red Deer got one back halfway through the second. It was an extremely lucky one, on their part. Moose Jaw defender Cole Jordan, attempting to clear a loose puck from out front of his own net, accidentally shovelled it in. Red Deer credited the goal to Kai Uchacz.
The tie didn’t last long though. Eric Alarie made it 2-1 five minutes later, banging in a rebound.
Moose Jaw nearly made it 3-1 but Firkus was unable to score on a Penalty Shot.
Late in the period, Marek Howell took a hooking call that put the Warriors on the Penalty Kill for the fifth time. This time Red Deer made them pay for it. Ben King, a product of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, scored his first of the season, at 19:11, to even things out; a one-timer from the slot.
The Warriors were forced to start the third period short-handed. This time it was Tate Schofer collecting a Five Minute Major and a Game Misconduct for checking to the head of a Rebels player.
It was Ben King, again, who made the Warriors pay, this time burying a rebound to put Red Deer ahead.
Ben King scored two Power Play goals for Red Deer - photo credit Twitter
The Penalty was a Five Minute Major, so Moose Jaw remained on the defensive. Jayden Grubbe added another at 4:43 to put Red Deer in front 4-2. The goal was Grubbe’s third point of the game.
By the time Moose Jaw got back to even strength it was too much of a gap to close. Red Deer is simply far too strong of a team to give that much of an advantage to.
All told, the Warriors looked every bit as good as Red Deer; even better I’d argue. But they lacked self-control and took far to many frustrating penalties.
Moose Jaw will be hosting Lethbridge on Saturday night.
Warriors Notes
Connor Ungar was named WHL Goalie of the Week after posting a spectacular 0.80 Goals Against Average and a .979 Save Percentage in three games.
The Warriors acquired 20 year old F Riley Ginnell from the Brandon Wheat Kings, in exchange for a 5th Round Pick in 2024. Ginnell made his debut in this game. In Ginnell’s debut he we immediately paired with Jagger Firkus and Brayden Yager
D Maximus Wanner was back in action after having served a 3 game suspension for “slew-footing”.
F Brayden Yager has committed to writing monthly diaries for NHL.com. The diaries will be about his season leading up to the draft. As of now, Yager is expected to be a Top 10 pick, possibly Top 5.