Warriors Win One For The Vets
Jackson Unger led the Moose Jaw Warriors onto the Hangar’s ice decked out these snazzy uniforms in honour of the team’s Second Annual Military Appreciation night - photo credit Moose Jaw Warriors Twitter
By Twitter: @MJWarriorsHistory Instagram: @moosejawwarriors_history
The visiting Prince George Cougars were actually the top team in the WHL coming into the game and had scored more goals than any other team, by a long shot.
Three of the top four scorers in the league are on their team (Ondrej Belcher, Zac Funk and Terik Parascak).
They were undoubtedly geared up for guns-blazing battle.
But the Warriors we saw on this evening were relentless, and ferocious and dominated every inch of the ice for three consecutive periods and cruised to a victory that seemed relatively simple.
It was all Warriors, right from the opening whistle, peppering the Cougars goalie with an amplitude of shots.
They scored their first on in the 11th minute but the ref waved it off on account of a high-stick.
Then a minute later they pocketed one for real.
It was Big Lucas Brenton, looking like sniper, dropping to one knee and dangling a pair of defenders before beating the goalie.
Lucas Brenton scored a beauty in the first frame - pic via Moose Jaw Warriors Twitter
Jagger Firkus put them up 2-0 quickly into the second frame, finishing off a break-out 2-on-1 with Kalem Parker.
The Warriors continued to blast shots on the Cougars net until Atley Calvert put his team up by three with less than five minutes left in the frame.
Atley Calvert had a goal and two assists - photo credit Twitter
Shortly after Calvert’s goal a brawl broke out and Ethan Hughes found himself in a dandy, connecting some brutal shots on Nicholas McLennon’s face before being hip-tossed into the ice.
After all the brawl-related bookings had been sorted out Denton Mateychuk wired an absolute zinger, top corner, to put the Warriors up by 4.
The Warriors were definitely in flight.
Denton Mateychuk added another one when he made it 5-0 a quarter of the way into period 3.
Mateychuk was all business, scoring twice - photo credit twitter
Jackson Unger’s shutout was spoiled in the 8th minute of Period 3 when Zac Funk scored a fluke-y one on a Power Play.
But he was stellar regardless, turning away 29 shots.
The game ended that way 5-1 for the Moose Jaw Warriors.
A tremendous performance from the team, they certainly looked like the sort of team who could compete for a Memorial Cup.
They soundly outworked and badly outplayed the top team in the league and keeping them to just one goal.
They’ll be back at the Hangar Sunday afternoon for a date with the Prince Albert Raiders