By Matthew Gourlie
The Moose Jaw Warriors have used their high-powered offence to win a lot of games this Western Hockey League season.
Friday night’s win is the way they want to win games going forward.
Brody Willms made 20 saves — and only five in the third period — to collect his third shutout of the season as the Warriors blanked the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes 2-0.
“It was a good team win. We played the full 60 minutes which we’ve been working towards here lately. We’ve struggled in the third lately, in some games, closing games out, so it was a good finish,” Willms said.
“There’s definitely been a big focus on the defensive end of the game for us. We’ve really been pushing that in practice and in video sessions. At this time of the year that’s how you need it to be. The defence always tightens up going into the playoffs.”
The Warriors got all of the offence that they would need in the first period. The work of Tate Popple and Tristin Langan on the forecheck created a turnover and Langan set up Vince Loschiavo for his 15th goal of the season.
Later in the first former Cane Brayden Burke burned his old team with a nice solo effort with the teams playing four-on-four to double the lead.
“The team that came ready won the game tonight,” said Lethbridge captain Jordy Bellerive. “We didn’t come ready to go in the first period. In the second we had a push. In the third we were right there too, we had a couple of chances we felt should have gone in.”
The Warriors (41-9-1-2) out-shot Lethbridge 36-20, but Logan Flodell was very sharp in the Hurricanes’ net.
The Canes (25-22-6-0) had been 7-2-3-0 since the trade deadline heading into the game.
“Ever since the trade deadline we’ve been a team that ups their game against better teams,” Bellerive said. “Tonight we didn’t do that really. It’s kind of disappointing, but it is a good benchmark for us to see that we’re right there with the best in the league.”
In the final five minutes, the Warriors spent three consecutive shifts in the Lethbridge zone and then with the net empty they were able to keep the Canes out of their end for most of the final minute.
“One of the biggest strengths of our team is how we can play offensively in the other team’s zone, just holding onto the puck and playing puck possession and looking for chances in the offensive zone,” Willms said.
Willms wasn’t very busy, but the Hurricanes generated a few quality chances. Willms stoned Brad Morrison in the slot with 1:40 left. He stopped Bellerive on an odd-man rush in the first, robbed Zane Franklin with the glove in the second and made a great pad save, his best of the night, on Owen Blocker early in the third period.
“The goalies collectively have been seeing less shots than we have in years past,” Willms said. “It’s been a focus of mine to try to tighten up in those games when you have less chances against you and less feel of the puck. to make sure you’re there when you need to be for those big stops.
Adam Evanoff had started three of the Warriors last four games after Willms had started 11 of the previous 14 contests.
“Adam has been playing really well and he’s done a good job in the last few games — and he has done all year – so they’re comfortable playing him. For me, you want to play as much as you can, but even now and again a good break is nice too,” Willms said.
The Warriors are back on the ice Saturday when they face the Kootenay Ice.
Before the game the Warriors presented a cheque for $4,913.55 to the Canadian Mental Health Association in honour of former Warriors prospect Ethan Williams. The money was raised during a pre-season game.
