MOOSE JAW -- It might now have been perfect, but the way things are going for the Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors in the Sask Male AAA Hockey League right now, it seems like finding a way to win is becoming pretty normal.
After defeating the Yorkton Maulers 11-2 on Saturday afternoon, the Warriors found themselves in a much closer contest in the rematch Sunday, needing three straight goals in the third period to take an 8-5 win at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
But a win is a win, and the Warriors saw themselves improved to 22-4-2 on the season, moving four points clear of the Regina Pat Canadians for first place in the 12-team league. Yorkton dropped to 4-22-1 and remain in 11th place.
“I thought Saturday we played real well, we moved pucks well,” said Warriors head coach Trevor Weisgerber. “Today I thought we were okay in the first, then we got into penalty trouble and we gave them some life. We kind of got away from what makes us successful and it's something that we talk about, you can't cut corners. Guys start cheating and not playing the game the right way and that's what happens.
“But I thought in the third, we played well again and the guys scored a few goals there to get the win. It was good, any time you get four points, it's a good weekend.”
The game was tied 2-2 after the first and a back-and-forth second period saw the Warriors score late to take a 5-4 lead. Yorkton came back to tie things up early in the third, but Moose Jaw kept pressing, and three goals in just under five minutes would put things away.
Putting up 19 goals in two games used to be a bit of a dream for Moose Jaw AAA teams, but not this season, as their offence continues to roll along. But that’s not to say their offence is the one thing they’re focussing on.
“Anyone can score all the way through the lineup, but there are still times where you've got to make sure that you're taking care of your end first,” Weisgerber said. “These are 15-, 16-, 17-year-old kids, sometimes they get away from that and it is what it is. But for the most part it was a pretty good weekend here.”
Keirin Osberg and Max Fuessel each scored twice for Moose Jaw, while Ryan Gibbs had a goal and three points. Carson Park and Brennan Brown had a goal and two points each, Gage Nagel added their other marker. Keaton Lesperance had four assists, Charlie Nameth and Maxton Johnston had two helpers each.
Aidan Vallance scored twice for Yorkton, Kale Johns had a goal and three points. Kieran Sobry and Tanner Wiens had their other goals.
Kaleb Page stopped 22 shots to earn the win, Moose Jaw had 53 shots on Reid Schweitzer.
The Warriors are back in action Saturday when they travel to Warman to face the Wildcats for a two-game weekend set.
