MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- The Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors find themselves in contention for first place through the early stages of the Sask Male AAA Hockey League campaign.
The Warriors saw their record improve to 4-1-0 on the season on Wednesday night after rolling to a 5-0 win over the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, with the victory moving Moose Jaw into a tie for second place with the Estevan Bears, two points back of the unbeaten Regina Pat Canadians.
It was a milestone night for goaltender Kaleb Page, who picked up his first shutout in the SMAAAHL thanks to a 14-save performance. His defence certainly played a role in the clean sheet, as they held Notre Dame without a shot in the first period and only four in the second.
Despite the final score, Notre Dame goaltender Steven Wawryk was solid in his own right, giving up five goals despite facing 24 shots in the first period, another 17 in the second and 24 more in the third for 65 in total.
Moose Jaw took a 2-0 lead out of the first period thanks to a pair of goals from Carson Deichert, who would finish the game with four points. Linemate Ryan Gibbs also had a solid night, putting up a second-period goal and finishing with three points as Moose Jaw lead 3-0 through two periods.
Deichert now has five goals and 10 points in five games since returning to the team from the WHL Warriors and is tied for second in league scoring with Gibbs, who has put up three goals and 10 points in that same span. Keaton Lesperance was held off the scoresheet Wednesday but has three goals and eight points to sit ninth in SMAAAHL scoring.
Gage Nagel and Charlie Nameth scored in the third period to round out the offence on the night. Nameth also had two assists to finish with three points.
Notre Dame fell to 1-4-0 with the loss and are in 11th place in the 12-team league.
The Warriors are back in action Sunday when they host the Prince Albert Mintos. Game time is 1:30 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
Notre Dame is also in action Sunday when they travel to Saskatoon to face the Blazers, with puck drop at 2 p.m.
