Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Blades fall 3-2 to Moose Jaw Warriors

- DARREN ZARY

If the Saskatoon Blades were searching for some separation in the Western Hockey League’s East Division standings, they didn’t find it Friday night.

The Blades dropped a 3-2 decision to the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors, who erased a 2-0 deficit on their way to victory at SaskTel Centre.

With the win, Moose Jaw moved into a tie with Saskatoon in the WHL’s East Division standings, each of them with 37 points.

The Warriors, who improved to 16-6-4-1, still have three games in hand on the Blades, who fall to 1710-3-0.

The Blades have a rematch against the Warriors Saturday in Moose Jaw, then next up they take on the Prince Albert Raiders — currently the No. 1 major junior team in North America — on Sunday at 4 p.m. at SaskTel Centre.

Eric Florchuk and Josh Paterson scored to give the Blades an early 2-0 lead, but the Warriors battled back on goals by Luke Ormsby and Tristin Langan, on the power play, to knot things up after two.

The Blades had a two-man advantage with 1:40 remaining in the second but could not convert.

Brayden Tracey put Moose Jaw up 3-2 with a power play goal at 9:37 of the third period.

The Warriors were 2-for-3 with the man-advantage. The Blades, who out-shot the visitors 35-25, were 0-for-5.

HOME, AT LAST

The Blades had played 18 of 29 games this season on the road, and just six games against East Division opponents, prior to Friday’s contest against the Warriors.

It’s the start of an important stretch for Saskatoon, which plays 11 of its next 12 games within the East and seven on home ice.

The Blades entered Friday’s contest with a 3-3-0 record against East Division teams and a 6-4-1 record at home.

WORLDS AWAY

The Blades are without forward Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen, who is away representi­ng Norway at the 2019 world junior Div. I tournament in Germany.

Moose Jaw captain Josh Brook is among 12 defencemen invited to the upcoming Team Canada selection camp.

Team Canada has a three-game exhibition series next week in Victoria, B.C., against the U Sport All-Stars, whose roster includes Jesse Forsberg, Carson Stadnyk, Kohl Bauml and Wyatt Johnson from the U of S Huskies.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Nolan Maier was presented with the Blades’ player of the month for November prior to Friday’s game.

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