The Memorial Cup hosts didn’t make it easy on the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night.
he Warriors battled the Blazers for 60 hard fought minutes, but secured a 3-2 in Kamloops to continue their B.C. Division road trip.
“It is a big win,” Warriors assistant coach Gord Burnett said. “To beat a team like this in this type of tight game with the [playoff] feel that it had, it’s a big win for our confidence.”
Connor Ungar made 36 saves to help lead the Warriors to their first win on the road trip. The win provides a nice bounce back after Wednesday’s loss in Prince George and puts Moose Jaw’s record at 14-9-0-0 through 23 games this season.
Brayden Yager added a goal and two points in the win, while Jagger Firkus picked up an assist to extend his point streak to 16 games.
“It was a bit of a territorial game early,” Burnett said. “We did a good job of getting out of our own end, even under heavy pressure, so that’s a good test for us.”
The first period ended with the game tied after a back-and-forth opening frame, which saw Ungar make 15 saves.
In the second, the Warriors upped their attack and it paid off just 4:34 into the period when Ben Riche tipped home his fourth of the season on the power play.
Only 1:35 later and on the power play again, Ryder Korczak finished off a smooth passing play to make it 2-0.
Later in the frame, Martin Rysavy knocked the puck free from the Blazers and Brayden Yager finished for his 11th of the season and a 3-0 lead through 40 minutes.
The Blazers wasted no time stealing the momentum at the start of the third and Logan Stankoven scored 43 seconds into the period.
Daylan Kuefler would cut Moose Jaw’s lead to one with 12:23 to play in regulation.
Despite some late chances, the Warriors were able to shut the door from there to take the two points.
Burnett said special teams were key for the Warriors in the win, going 2-for-4 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
“Their third in the league, so to kill four of them, one five-on-three, that’s a good job by our guys,” he said.
“Then even late, six-on-five with the goalie pulled situation, great job there too.”
The Warriors continue their B.C Division road trip on Saturday night in Kelowna to take on the Rockets. Puck drops at 9:05 p.m.
Tune in live on Country 100 and WHL Live with Voice of the Warriors James Gallo bringing you all the action, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 8:40 p.m.