The Moose Jaw Warriors know they’re right there with any team in Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League.
The important thing now is to put together results on a regular basis that show just that -- and ideally come away with plenty of wins to show for it.
Tuesday wasn’t one of those nights for the Warriors, as despite sticking with the league-leading Warman Wildcats throughout the contest, they’d go on to drop a 4-2 decision.
The loss sees Moose Jaw fall to 20-13-0-1, good enough for fifth place in the SMAAAHL, six points back of the Regina Pat Canadians and one up on the Saskatoon Contacts. Warman is now 26-5-0-1 and hold a four-point lead over Notre Dame for first place.
Mason Bueckert opened scoring for the Wildcats on 1:27 into the contest, but just over two minutes later Jackson Allan got that one back for Moose Jaw, sending the teams in the dressing room tied 1-1 after the first.
Warman’s Jayden Jessiman restored their lead with a power play goal at 5:54 of the second period, and Rhett Dekowny extended the edge to 3-1 9:58 into the final frame.
That set the stage for Allan’s second goal of the game 1:51 later, making things plenty interesting as the contest wound down.
Dekowny would add an empty-net goal with 31 seconds to play, though, capping off any chance of a Warriors comeback.
Jessiman had two assists to finish with a three-point night.
The Warriors had a 37-save effort from goaltender Ethan Fechter -- including 21 in the first period -- while Luke Brunen made 30 saves for Warman.
Moose Jaw is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 29 when they travel to Tisdale to face the Trojans. Next home action is Thursday, Feb. 10 when the host the Notre Dame Hounds at Mosaic Place.
