By Matthew Gourlie
When the Moose Jaw Warriors got some momentum Wednesday, they made the most of it scoring three goals in 43 seconds to bury the Regina Pats en route to a 6-3 win.
In Friday night’s rematch the Warriors looked to have grabbed the momentum once again when Vince Loschiavo scored a greasy power play goal with five seconds left in the second period that just crossed the line. The goal levelled the game at 2-2, but the Pats would not cede the momentum two games in a row.
The Pats (30-24-5-1) took the first 10 shots of the third period, scored three goals and left Mosaic Place with a big 5-3 win.
“These guys took one in our barn the other night and we wanted to come out and have a better effort. We knew we had more to give. It’s a great all-around victory for our team here,” said Pats defenceman Josh Mahura who scored twice in the third, including the game-winner. “Coming into the third we knew that they were going to have some pushes, but we came right out of the gates. We really wanted this one and our guys were so ready for the third period. It feels good to come out with the win tonight.”
It was the Pats first win against their rivals in six meetings so far this season.
Moose Jaw head coach Tim Hunter felt that they were out-played Wednesday — save those fateful 43 seconds — and they didn’t learn from that performance.
“They out-worked us in our building. They out-hit us, they out-competed us, they out-forechecked us and they out-scored us,” Hunter said. “I appealed to the team to be ready for their pressure — because they gave us a lot of pressure in Regina — and we weren’t. We played stubborn. We played stubborn the other night… and if it wasn’t for 30 or 40 seconds where we scored three goals it would have been a different game. I knew they would bring it again tonight. I told my team and they didn’t listen. We’ll appeal to them again and see if they’ll listen for Sunday because we’ll get more of the same in Regina.”
Emil Oksenen buried a power play chance early in the third period before Mahura scored twice in 1:22 to give the Pats a 5-2 lead.
Jayden Halbgewachs opened the scoring for Moose Jaw in the first period. Nick Henry tied the game with a power play goal at the start of the second and Jesse Gabrielle put the Pats ahead before Loschiavo tied the game.
Justin Almeida scored a late power play goal for the Warriors (43-10-1-2). Brett Howden had three assists and Kale Clague had two assists.
The Pats put together a strong 60-minute effort. They forecheck was relentless and their defensive zone coverage blunted the Warriors attack.
“We got out-worked,” said Warriors veteran Tanner Jeannot. “They came out and played a hard game with a lot of pressure and we just weren’t ready for it. We’re going to put that into our game plan for Sunday and we need to come out with a better effort”
When the Warriors did generate chances — particularly in the first period — Max Paddock was tremendous in the Pats goal as he made 25 saves in his fourth straight start.
Moose Jaw’s Brody Willms showed why he was the reigning CHL goalie of the week as he made a number of big saves in the first two periods as well.
The Pats welcomed back Koby Morriseau for his first game back after missing 14 straight games.
The Pats moved past Brandon and into third place in the East Division with the win. The teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon in Regina.
The Warriors welcomed back Jett Woo after he had missed eight straight games due to injury. However, leading scorer Brayden Burke was a late scratch. Burke has been playing through some nagging injuries and was a game-time decision. Hunter said he would be day-to-day and like a game-time decision again Sunday.
Barrett Sheen also returned to the Warriors lineup after serving his five-game suspension. He got into a spirited fight with Bryce Platt in the first period.
