When Moose Jaw Warriors goaltender Connor Ungar returned to the team prior to the Western Hockey League playoffs, the overwhelming question was what fans would see from the overage goaltender.
Rest or rust.
It didn’t take long to get an answer and to say the least it was overwhelmingly positive.
Ungar made a host of outstanding saves right off the hop as the Warriors took a double overtime win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes in Game 1, and little changed after that. All told, Ungar wouldn’t allow more than two goals in any of the four games, and the Warriors would go on to a first-round sweep.
Now, it’s on to what’s expected to be a far more difficult challenge in the WHL regular-season champion Winnipeg Ice.
“Coming back, you just want to give your team a chance to win every game and fortunately I did that and the team was able to capitalize and score some goals,” Ungar said after practice on Wednesday afternoon. “It’s always nice when you get it done in four and get a bit of rest, so now we’re gearing up and we’re excited to start the second round, It’s obviously going to be a tough challenge but we’re mentally and physically prepared for it.”
Seeing Ungar come through the way he did wasn’t much of a surprise to most onlookers, as even before the time missed, he was among the league leaders in most goaltending categories. Turning in a 40-save performance and earning the win was a regular night, and while Ungar was never that busy outside of Game 1 in the first round, it was still a matter of making the saves that needed to be made.
“I feel like I executed my gameplan, I have an idea of how I want to go in and play every game and for the most part I was able to play pretty consistently,” he said. “Now it’s important that I do the same thing against Winnipeg.”
Of course, no man is an island in hockey, and without the team’s overall defence, the Warriors could have a few more post-season games on their ledger this season. Instead, Moose Jaw’s ability to limit chances and the commitment to defence as a whole led to one of the top playoff showings in recent memory.
“The guys were battling really hard in front of the net, blocking shots, boxing out, clearing pucks… it was textbook for the most part,” Ungar said. “The boys were playing really well, and the forwards, too, they played well defensively and did their job, Now we just have to amp it up to another level here.”
It all begins on Friday night with Game 1 from the Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg, and even though the Ice won the Scotty Munro Trophy as the team with the best regular-season record, the Warriors enter the battle with confidence.
That’s due to their regular-season record against Winnipeg, which saw the teams split the season series down the middle at three games apiece.
“The success we’ve had against them this year is huge for our confidence, just the belief factor,” Ungar said. “It’s not going to be easy, they’re going to be at their best, too, but knowing that we have had success will help the confidence when we do face adversity.”
And adversity they will face, almost assuredly. Winnipeg without question has their eyes on a WHL Championship after their 57-win season, and that means plenty of offence, solid defence and great goaltending -- essentially the same as what the Warriors brought in their first round.
“There’s going to be more and more adversity in the second round, and there will be every round you advance,” Ungar said. “I think we just have to stick with the game plan and stay focussed and get better every game. If we just worry about one game at a time, the rest will take care of itself.”
Games 1 and 2 are in Winnipeg on Friday and Saturday, with the series reverting to Moose Jaw for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
Watch parties for Game 1 and 2 are being held at the Crushed Can and Bugsy’s Irish Pub, and South Sask Bus Lines is planning to send a fan bus to Winnipeg for the first two games. Call (306) 691-2871 for more information.
