After the pre-game light show and fireworks at their home opener, the Moose Jaw Warriors wasted little time producing some fireworks of their own.
The Warriors scored three first-period goals as they beat the Prince Albert Raiders 7-3 Saturday night at Mosaic Place.
The Warriors (2-0) blanked the Raiders 3-0 Friday night in Prince Albert.
“We managed to capitalize on some of our chances to put us ahead,” said Warriors veteran Noah Gregor. “Our guys are highly skilled and if we get a good opportunity, there’s a good chance we’ll score and we did that tonight.”
Moose Jaw was able to score at key times to extend their lead and never let the Raiders get back into the game.
The Warriors top line of Gregor, Brayden Burke and Tanner Jeannot each had a goal and two assists on the night.
Warriors goalie Brody Willms made 40 saves as Moose Jaw won its fourth straight home opener.
“It’s awesome for him to get the starting job this year,” Gregor said. “We’ve known the whole time he’s been here that he has always had that in him and it’s shown in these first two games.”
Jayden Halbgewachs opened his account 4:28 into the season as the Warriors built an early 3-1 lead and never looked back.
Burke made a nice rush before feeding Jeannot who scored his first of the season to give the Warriors a 3-1 lead. Burke scored his second of the season in the third period and put the Warriors ahead 5-2.
Brecon Wood, scored in the second game of the season after only scoring once in 57 games in his rookie season.
Halbgewachs, Jett Woo and Justin Almedia each had a goal and an assist. Luka Burzan chipped in with a pair of assists and rookie defenceman Oleg Sosunov was a plus-four on the night.
Former Everett Silvertip Devon Skoleski scored his first goal for the Raiders on a first-period breakaway.
Parker Kelly signed an entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators Tuesday and scored his first goal of the season for the Raiders after being re-assigned by the Sens Saturday morning.
The Raiders peppered the Warriors goal and out-shot them 24-4 in the third period, but couldn’t get closer than to within two goals of the lead.
“We gave a good push there, had a couple of chances and really out-shot them, but it seemed like whenever we got on they pounded it right back,” Kelly said. “I liked our effort. I would like to see us have a little more belief in ourselves. If they get one we were kind of sagging a little there on the bench, so that’s something we can improve on.”
Everyone is looking for something to build on and the Warriors will certainly look to spend more time in the offensive zone after building a lead.
“Whenever you get a win you’re happy with the result, but everybody has things to work at — especially tonight,” Gregor said. “They had a lot of zone time in the second and third and put a lot of pressure on us. It was a good thing we Brody there tonight. He played really well for us.”
Prince Albert’s Jordy Stallard had a power play marker and the Raiders finished 1-for-7 with the man advantage and the Warriors were 1-5 on the power play, but also score just as a Raiders penalty expired.
After Raiders goalie Ian Scott suffered a lower-body injury in the third period of Friday’s season opener, Nicholas Sanders earned the start and Curtis Meger backed him up.
The Warriors iced the same roster as opening night. They were missing Brett Howden (Tampa Bay camp), Defenceman Josh Brook (wrist, 8-12 weeks) and goalie Adam Evanoff.
Prince Albert was without defenceman Austin Crossley who has an upper-body injury and Justin Nachbaur served the third game of a four-game charging suspension he received in the pre-season.
The Warriors will host the Memorial Cup host Regina Pats Friday. Prince Albert hosts Calgary Friday night.
