The Brandon Wheat Kings welcomed back Jiri Patera on Saturday night as they hosted the Moose Jaw Warriors in the back half of a home-and-home at Westoba Place.
The game wrapped up the preseason for both teams and Moose Jaw will head into the regular season with a sense of confidence after a 2-1 win.
One night after they were basically dominated in their own rink, Moose Jaw came out with a different intensity in the game, which was good enough to earn their second win of the preseason.
Saturday’s game was one of Moose Jaw’s most complete of the preseason and it was Eric Alarie that started things off right.
On the powerplay, he scored an unassisted goal 17:24 in the game to give the Warriors’ a 1-0 lead after 20.
Moose Jaw also won the shot clock battle in the first, 16-9.
In the second, Brandon seemed to get a little more fire in their step.
Lynden McCallum put the Wheat Kings’ on the board with his second goal in as many games. Nolan Ritchie picked up the second assist while Neithan Salame got the primary one. The goal was scored 6:03 into the frame.
Not long after that equalizer, Moose Jaw struck back with what ended up being the game-winner.
With 8:14 left in the midway frame, Cade Hayes fired home his third of the preseason past Patera, to give Moose Jaw a 2-1 lead.
Calder Anderson and Bryden Kiesman notched the assists.
The goal was on the powerplay as the Warriors’ scored their second on the man-advantage.
Moose Jaw also outshot Brandon in the second, 15-11.
The third was a relatively quiet period. Patera turned away four shots while Bailey Brkin was tested seven times and he made the save each time to preserve the win for his club.
With the win, Moose Jaw ended their preseason at 2-5. Brandon, meanwhile, went 2-2.
The curtain on the 2019-20 regular season raises on Friday. Brandon is home to the Winnipeg ICE.
Moose Jaw begins their regular season with a home-and-home against Regina. The team’s home opener is Saturday night at Mosaic Place.
ICINGS:
- Moose Jaw’s powerplay went 2-6. Brandon went 0-3.
- Jiri Patera made 33 saves on 35 shots in his first game back with the team.
- Brandon lost both of their Saturday preseason games. They scored just two goals over the two games.
- Luke Ormsby led Moose Jaw with six shots and he went 7-for-13 in faceoffs.
