Warriors close out regular season
Right from the opening face-off against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Mar. 16, the Moose Jaw Warriors played like they were of a single mind – to get Jayden Halbgewachs that record. ‘That record’ being Blair Atcheynum’s 30year old single-season team scoring mark of 70 goals. Halbgewachs went into the final weekend of the season with 68 goals, therefore needing two to tie and three to break the mark. And much like last season when he put up seven points in the last game of the year to break the 100-point barrier, Halbgewachs was up to the task.
The 20-year-old forward scored on the power play with 2:18 remaining in the first period and then tipped home a shot again while on the man advantage at 9:35 of the second to tie the mark. Thing is, he wasn’t finished there. Halbgewachs had at least a dozen chances to break the record – he finished the game with 11 shots, officially – but would just fall short as the Warriors dropped a 6-5 decision in overtime.
He wouldn’t have any luck the next night in Brandon in a 5-4 shootout loss, and therefore settled for the tie with Atcheynum.
“Just to get 70 goals in a season is pretty unreal, and to tie that record is surreal,” Halbgewachs said. “It’s a pretty proud moment and I share it with all my teammates, and especially my linemates. Howden and Jeannot were trying all night to feed me and I don’t think Howden took a shot on net tonight, he wanted to feed me all night.
“The amount of passing attempts he tried... it just shows what kind a team we have. We’re all proud of each other and we want to break records, each and every one of us. So to do that tonight was pretty crazy.”
The game itself featured its share of drama, as Justin Almeida scored with one second left in the third to send the contest to overtime. Tanner Jeannot and Tristyn DeRoose scored their other goals.
But given the fact the Warriors had clinched the Scotty Munro trophy earlier in the week (see sidebar) and had little else to play for, the game was all about Halbgewachs.
“It’s great, he’s had an unbelievable season, all three of those guys had great years. Tanner Jeannot and Brett Howden also had great games, and this gives them confidence going forward that they can contribute and play and score goals,” said Warriors coach Tim Hunter. “You don’t score 70 goals without scoring some big goals. He’s been a huge contributor to for us, and he’s a great kid off the ice and on the ice. We’re really proud of him.”
The next night in Brandon saw Branden Klatt and Tanner Jeannot score twice each – with Jeannot hitting the 40 goal mark for the first time in his career – before the Wheat Kings scored four unanswered of their own to send the contest into overtime.
Former Warrior Luka Burzan had two goals in the game, including the tying marker with 1:07 remaining and then scored the game-winning goal in the shootout.
Halbgewachs had an assist in the game and finished the season with 70 goals and 129 points to win the WHL scoring title.
The Warriors will have the rest of the week off before the playoffs kick off on Mar. 23 against the Prince Albert Raiders. The first two games of the series are in Moose Jaw that Saturday and Sunday night. Prior to Friday’s game against Brandon, the Warriors held their annual Yara Awards Night. And while there was plenty of team hardware presented, one award stood out the most. That would be the Scotty Munro Memorial trophy, symbolic of finishing first overall in the Western Hockey League during the regular season. WHL vice-president Richard Doerksen was on hand for the presentation. “There’s only 22 teams in this league and to finish on top of those teams is a great accomplishment,” said Warriors coach Tim Hunter. “We didn’t set our sights on trying to win the trophy, we wanted to win our division and get home ice advantage, now we get home ice advantage the whole way through if it works out that way.... We start the playoffs with some confidence by being the league’s top team, knowing we can win and beat everyone in this league.”
Winners of the main team awards include: Player of the Year, RBC Top Scorer and YARA Fans’ Choice Award -- Jayden Halbgewachs. Moose Jaw Co-Op Humanitarian of the Year, Cody Smuk Un-Sung Hero, Mark McKay Hustle Award – Tanner Jeannot. Safeway/Sobey’s Top Defenceman – Kale Clague.
McDonalds Rookie of the Year – Adam Evanoff. Andy’s Transmission Most Improved Player -Tristin Langan.
C & E Mechanical Most Sportsmanlike Award – Justin Almeida.
Vanier Collegiate Scholastic Achievement Awards -- Tate Popple.