Warriors Strike Hard In Pat Land
Fans can breath a sigh of relief now that King Jagger is back - photo credit Twitter
By Twitter: @MJWarriorsHistory Instagram: @moosejawwarriors_history
Hockey’s back!
And so far the Moose Jaw Warriors have been a bit of a let down, to be honest.
There was a bit of pre-season hype surrounding the team; many believing that this could be the year they make a real push for a Memorial Cup.
40 years in an awful long time to go without a championship and some fans are growing weary.
In their first two games they were out-scored 13-4 and looked a little lost without their big name veterans (Jagger Firkus, Denton Mateychuk & Brayden Yager were all at NHL camps) on the ice.
On Wednesday night the team was at the Brandt Centre in Regina to battle the Regina Pats, a long time division rival.
Fortunately for the Warriors, Jagger Firkus made his return and scored the game’s opening goal, late in the first period.
The Pats did, however, even the score before the period ended, on a goal from Tye Spencer.
Despite escaping the first frame with the game tied, it certainly wasn’t a strong showing for the Warriors as they were out-shot 17-5, showing a severe inability to create any real momentum.
The Pats added another goal, midway through the second period, this time from the team’s newest Captain, Tanner Howe, who has taken the Regina reigns in the aftermath of Connor Bedard-mania.
Howe is the club’s 82nd Captain.
Tanner Howe - photo credit Twitter
It wasn’t until Period Three that the Warriors started to put things together.
But when the wheels were in motion, they looked really good.
First, in the fifth minute, Lynden Lakovic scored his team-leading second goal of the season, finishing off a sleek pass from Ben Riche.
Hot Damn! The Warriors had tied it up.
Lynden Lakovic is the early scoring leader - photo credit Instagram
Then, in the fifteenth minute, Eric Alarie scored, taking advantage of a well-timed and executed Power Play.
Atley Calvert pitched in with a late empty-netter to cap off a 4-2 win.
Eric Alarie was named the game’s First Star. He had a two point night that included a game-winning goal.
Jackson Unger, who made 34 saves was the Second Star.
Tanner Howe was Third.
Eric Alarie was First Star - photo credit Moose Jaw Warriors Twitter
Firkus had a three point night.
Atley Calvert had two points.
Matthew Gallant, who added another assist in the game, is averaging a point-per-game.
Moose Jaw will host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday night and rumour has it that Brayden Yager will be back for that one.