Moose Jaw Warriors turn focus to playoffs after 11-1 win over Pats
The Moose Jaw Warriors are looking for a long playoff run after putting together their best season since 2017-18.
The Warriors wrapped up the 2023-24 WHL regular season on Saturday with their 44th victory of the season: an 11-1 win over the Regina Pats in a game that boiled over in the third period with a goaltender fight between Regina's Kelton Pyne and Moose Jaw's Jackson Unger.
“I think our players did an excellent job in preparing ourselves for the playoffs,” said Warriors head coach Mark O'leary. “Our ask of the players for Saturday night was to compete and to make sure that we're playing with playoff habits.”
Following the game, Pats head coach Brad Herauf and general manager Alan Millar — who previously was the general manager in Moose Jaw from 2010 to 2021 — made comments in the media about how their team felt “disrespected” and “embarrassed."
O'leary was offered a chance to respond.
“I don't really want to respond to them,” he said. “I think Saturday was just a really big team-builder for us.”
Despite already having their playoff spot locked up, some Warriors players — including 19-yearold forward Jagger Firkus — had a lot to play for individually. Entering Saturday's game, Firkus had 121 points on the season which was tied with Prince George Cougars forward Zac Funk for the WHL scoring lead.
Firkus, a Seattle Kraken 2022 second-round NHL draft pick, proceeded to put up three goals and two assists against the Pats to give him 126 points in 63 games, while
Funk added two assists in his final game on Saturday night to finish second with 123.
“It's something that I wanted especially in my last game being in the position I was at,” said Firkus. “I really wanted that title and my teammates and coaches, they really helped me out with getting me the puck and making sure I had the opportunity to put it in the back of the net.”
“That was the goal in mind for all of his teammates,” added O'leary. “Jagger is kind of the lifeblood of our team.
“All of our players were all-in on doing everything they could to make sure he won the scoring race.”
As the how the Pats reacted, Firkus wasn't too worried about it then and certainly isn't now.
“It's over and done with,” he said. “Our goal in the room is worry about Friday and playoffs ahead of us.”
After putting up 88 points last season as an 18-year-old, Firkus put up career highs across the board this year, which was fuelled by motivation after being cut from Team Canada's World Junior selection camp in December.
“I think this year was just a confidence thing,” said Firkus. “Especially at Christmas time what happened to me, I think that also gave me a little extra motivation to come back and be one of the best players in the league.”
Along with winning the WHL'S Bob Clarke Trophy as the league's top scorer, Firkus was also named a WHL East Division first-team all-star along with teammates Unger and defenceman Denton Mateychuk. Warriors forward Brayden Yager and Atley Calvert were named second-team allstars.
“Obviously it's all about team success but to have some individual successes like that as well and to get noticed for those, it means a lot to me,” said Firkus.
With the regular season behind them — and the rivalry with the Pats shelved until next year — the Warriors are focusing on their first-round playoff matchup against the Brandon Wheat Kings, which began Friday at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. Game 2 is set for Saturday night.
The Warriors finished the season in third place in the WHL'S Eastern Conference with a 44-21-3 record, which was 18 points up on the Wheat Kings, who finished in sixth with a 33-28-7 record.
However, in their eight meetings this season, Moose Jaw went just 3-4-1 against Brandon.
“They're a hard-working team,” said Firkus. “They're going to bring energy and bring grit every single night, so we have to be aware of that.
“It's the best time of the year coming up. We're all looking forward to Friday night and getting the playoffs started.
“I think we have a good team this year that hopefully can go on a deep run.”
I don't really want to respond to them. I think Saturday was just a really big team-builder for us.
MARK O'LEARY, Warriors coach