Source: Moose Jaw Warriors, March 16, 2016
The Moose Jaw Warriors were strong from the start scoring three goals in the opening period and went on to the 4-1 win over the Prince Albert Raiders Wednesday at Mosaic Place.
The opening period was dictated and dominated by the Warriors from the opening shift. They were quick up the ice on the transition, their fore-check was relentless, and they were able to force pucks to the front of the net for quality scoring chances.
Just over six minutes in to the game Nikita Popugaev drove down the Raiders left wall and then dished the puck to Jesse Shynkaruk between the Prince Albert circles. The 19-year-old then swung the puck to Jayden Halbgewachs on the right wing where drove the net and finished the drive with his 15th of the year.
At 12:51 Ryan Bowen broke up a Raiders clearing attempt and moved the puck to Brett Howden on top of the left crease. After a spin move with the puck, Howden set up Tanner Jeannot at the bottom of the left crease where he jammed in his 17th.
Nine seconds later the Warriors charged back inside the Raiders zone. Captain Brayden Point forced the puck to the right goal line and then was able to sneak the puck over goalie Rylan Parenteau for his 35th.
The second period saw the Raiders get on the board at 11:47 after creating a turnover on a Warriors breakout and then setting up Reid Gardiner in front of the Warriors net. Moose Jaw got that goal back at 17:51 while on the power play when Dryden Hunt scored his WHL leading 56th of the year.
In the third period the teams battled back and forth, neither was able to add any offence and the Warriors picked up their 35th win of the season with the 4-1 win.
Dryden Hunt led the Warriors with a goal and two points, Zach Sawchenko finished with 23 saves, and Moose Jaw was 1-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Moose Jaw opens the final weekend of the regular season Friday in Brandon, Western Nissan Warriors Hockey returns to Country 100 starting at 6:10pm.