The Moose Jaw Warriors were taught a lesson in special teams play by the Winnipeg Ice on Sunday evening.
The Ice scored twice on the power play and twice shorthanded, put up four goals in the second period and went on to an 6-0 win in Western Hockey League action in Winnipeg.
The Warriors suffered their first regulation loss in six outings and fell to 28-15-0-3, remaining a point back of Saskatoon for third in the Eastern Conference, though the Blades once again have four games in hand.
The Warriors looked to have scored the game’s first goal with 5:50 remaining in the first, but immediately after Harper Lolacher put home a shot from the slot, Ben Riche was hit with the Warriors’ first penalty.
Sure enough, Ty Nash would score on the ensuing man advantage, with his shot from the right face-off circle finding its way through traffic and past Connor Ungar.
The Ice received their second power play with 2:30 remaining in the period and would once again come through, this time with Connor McClennon finishing off some slick passing between Zach Benson and Matthew Savoie with 1:56 left in the frame.
The Warriors had a chance to get back into the game with a power play midway through the second, but it would be the Ice who would strike again. Savoie went in on a breakaway and put a shot top shelf glove side for Winnipeg’s 12th shorthanded goal of the season.
The Warriors’ bad luck continued with 7:10 to play in the period, this time with Zack Ostapchuk taking a neutral zone turnover, going in on net and having the puck simply bounce around and into the Moose Jaw net.
That marked the end of the night for Ungar, having allowed four goals on 18 shots.
Carson Lambos continued the onslaught, breaking into the Warriors zone, stickhandling around Jackson Unger and tucking a shot into the corner for a 5-0 lead with 4:45 to play in the period.
A double minor to Winnipeg’s Vladislav Shilo with 2:03 left in the second gave the Warriors a chance to get something going, but once against the Ice came through. Owen Pederson did the honours this time, once again going in on a breakaway and once scoring top shelf glove side for their second shorthanded goal of the game.
The third period was uneventful, and the Ice would have their 6-0 victory.
Mason Beaupit turned aside all 20 shots he faced for the shutout, while Unger had 10 saves in his 27:11 of ice time.
The Warriors now have the week off before facing the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
