Warriors go winless for week as they head into final five games of season
The Moose Jaw Warriors have said from the start of the season that development was the sole key for their time in the Western Hockey League's East Division Hub in Regina, but that doesn't make not finding the win column any easier.
The Warriors lost all three of their contests in action from the Brandt Centre last week, dropping an 8-3 decision to the Brandon Wheat Kings to open things up on Apr. 13 before falling 2-0 to the Prince Albert Raiders on Apr. 15 and closing out the week with a 4-1 loss to Brandon on Apr. 17.
The week was as up-and-down as could be, too – the Warriors played as well as they've played all season against the Raider after their tough loss two nights earlier, but just didn't have the result.
Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary will be looking for more of that kind of effort as the team heads into their final five regular-season contests.
“I think we've been pretty consistent from the start that it's about the standards we've been setting and it's all work based,” O'Leary said after Saturday's loss. “The results will be what they are this year, it's about developing as an individual and us as a team so we hit the ground running for next year. That's not going to change the last five games, our races and battles and details and executing them, making sure we're doing it as a five-man unit with a pack mentality. So those are the things we'll get back to and we'll see a better effort against P.A. (Monday).” Moose Jaw is now 7-11-1-0 on the season and tied for fifth in the division with Regina.
The Warriors went into the first match-up against Brandon looking to rebound from an 8-2 loss in their previous meeting, but the veteran Wheat Kings were having none of it, again scoring four first-period goals and rolling to their commanding win.
Brayden Yager continued his impressive 15-year-old campaign with a pair of goals and an assist, while Jagger Firkus netted their other marker. Eric Alarie picked up two assists. Brett Mirwald got the start in goal and allowed four goals on 18 shots in the first 18 minutes before giving way to Boston Bilous, who stopped 22 shots the rest of the way.
To say things were night and day against the Raiders a couple nights later is an understatement.
The Warriors dominated the contest from start to finish and generated as many quality scoring chances as they have in a contest this season, but couldn't beat Prince Albert netminder Max Paddock. The overage netminder would stop all 45 shots he faced in taking the win. Bilous had 23 saves for Moose Jaw.
Mirwald would be the only reason things didn't get out of hand early against Brandon in their final match-up of the week.
The Wheat Kings would pour 15 shots on net in the first period – the majority of them excellent scoring chances - but only score once in the final seconds. The 17-year-old netminder couldn't hold the fort all night, though, and Brandon would score three in the second to take control of the game. Mirwald would finish with 34 saves on the night.
Brad Ginnell scored the Warriors' lone goal in the final minute of the first.
The Warriors play four of their final five games this week, as they take on Prince Albert on Monday (8 p.m.), Winnipeg on Wednesday (8 p.m.), Regina on Friday (8 p.m.) and Swift Current on Sunday (4 p.m.). Their final game of the regular season is against Saskatoon on April 26.