Ranked 2nd in the recent CHL rankings, the Moose Jaw Warriors (22-5-1-1) faced off on Thursday against the Edmonton Oil Kings (6-19-3-0). Moose Jaw was playing this
one without the likes of Jett Woo and recent WJC Canada invite Brett Howden. Travis Child got the start for Edmonton, while Adam Evanoff got his 5th start of the season.
Edmonton started the game off strong and opened the scoring just three minutes in off a strong outside drive from Brett Kemp along with some skill in
tight around the net. Moose Jaw Warriors leading scorer Brayden Burke got kicked out mid-way through the frame after a knee on knee hit with Oil King’s Davis Murray. Edmonton generated a lot of shots and did an excellent job handling the top guys on Moose Jaw. Shots after 20 were 16-9 for Edmonton.
Moose Jaw bounced back in the second and really applied some good pressure turning the tables on the game. They found the score board on the power play with Jayden Halbgewachs scoring his 28th of the season from Josh Brook and Justin Almeida. He found ice well in the slot and Brook found him with a pass. Moose Jaw found their first lead late in the second as Barrett Sheen caused a turnover off the draw and drove a lane to the net to put the puck around Child. Shots after two periods were 25-22 for Edmonton.
It didn’t take long for Moose Jaw to extend their lead in the third. Just 40 seconds in, Noah Gregor drove wide and powered his way to the net, and put the puck over the pad of Child. Edmonton cut the lead just 29 seconds later. Tomas Soustal who was having a great game got his name on the score sheet with a lucky bounce off a defender’s skate on a two-on-one rush that got by Evanoff. Edmonton showed some good push back in the third and got several opportunities to tie. They finally tied the game on the power play from captain Colton Kehler, whose wrist shot got through goalie Adam Evanoff. The game was sent to overtime with the shots being 36-34 for Moose Jaw.
Just 29 seconds into the overtime period, Jayden Halbgewach got his second of the game and 29th of the season. Another wide drive that got past Child and ended the game. It was the only shot generated in the period. Final shots on the game were 37-34 for Moose Jaw.
Game Notes:
-Edmonton Oil Kings call up Carter Souch has been amazing in the five games he has played. On a line with two 20-year-old players in Colton Kehler and Tomas Soustal, Souch has been able to process the game well. He really reads and anticipates the play well. I would not be surprised if he stays around for the rest of the season.
-With the two goals in the game, Jayden Halbgewachs now sits second in the league in goals with 29 and fifth in the league in points with 51. He was very impressive offensively and has certainly turned himself into an elite producing forward in the league.
-Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Oleg Sosunov stuck out like a sore thumb. Standing at 6-foot-8 it’s hard to miss him. It was the first opportunity I have gotten to see him play.
He is like a man amongst boys. His skating still could use some work but he’s very defense orientated and heavy puck distributing highlights his game.
-Josh Brook was very impressive. The Montreal Canadiens second round pick has really matured this past season and looks a lot more confident. He only notched one assist in the game but was consistently impacting the game offensively and finding ways be active in the offensive zone. We should expect high production from him this season.
-Tomas Soustal had one of his best games of the season. He was very effective with Carter Souch and played a more two-way game. He scored a key goal early in the third. I was really impressed with his effort and preparation.
