The Moose Jaw Warriors finished strong against the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday night to come away with a big win to open the weekend.
Jagger Firkus scored the game-winner, shorthanded in the third period to help the Warriors to a comeback 3-2 win over the Raiders at the Art Hauser Centre.
“I like the fact that we stuck with it, we got some saves from our goaltender and we were able to pull it out,” Warriors assistant coach Scott King said.
“PA comes as advertised, they’re a tough team to play against in this building. They generate a lot of energy in here.”
The Warriors trailed 2-1 heading into the third period, but goals from Firkus and Riley Ginnell only 1:06 apart early in the frame swung the game in Moose Jaw’s favour.
Ginnell’s goal came just 4:19 into the third and got a big monkey off the 20-year-old forward’s back as it was his first since being acquired by the Warriors.
“That was a big moment in the game and for him to come through, I’m sure it feels good for him,” King said.
Both of Prince Albert’s goals came on the power play as they finished the night 2-for-5, including three power plays in the third. The Warriors didn’t score in their two chances on the man advantage.
King said the Warriors need to play more disciplined.
“You can be physical and obviously it’s about being on the right side of pucks and if you’re doing that, usually you’re in a good spot where you don’t have to take a penalty,” he said.
Prince Albert opened the scoring late in the first period on a goal from Landon Kosior.
The Warriors were able to answer right back with Robert Baco blasting home his second of the season to tie the game at 1-1 after one.
The Raiders scored the lone goal in the second when Nolan Allan picked up a power play marker to make it 2-1 after two.
The quick strikes from the Warriors early in the third gave them some breathing room and big saves from Connor Ungar on the penalty kill sealed the win.
Ungar made 25 saves, including 10 in the third, in the victory.
The Warriors will now return home for a big battle with the Red Deer Rebels, who beat Swift Current to improve to 14-0-0-0 this season.