It stands to reason that at some point this season, the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors will find the kind of consistency that can lead to a lengthy winning streak in the Sask Male AAA Hockey League.
Until then, there will be nights like Thursday, when the Warriors travelled to Wilcox and dropped a 4-1 decision to the Notre Dame Hounds.
It’s been an up-and-down month so far for the local squad, as they haven’t won or lost more than two games in a row since enduring a four-game losing streak in late October. As a result, Moose Jaw holds a 5-7-0-3 record through their first 15 games, good enough for a four-way tie with Warman, Prince Albert and Estevan for sixth place in the 12-team league. The logjam also sees the four teams seven points back of the Saskatoon Contacts for fifth and a point up on 10th-place Yorkton.
Jody Baumuller played the biggest role in Notre Dame’s win, scoring single goals in each period to finish the night with a hat trick. Baumuller did his damage late in each period, too, scoring his first goal with 2:42 remaining in the first, second goal with 2:40 to play in the second and final marker with 5:13 remaining in the game.
Notre Dame led 1-0 after the first before Rhett Perrin tied the game with seven minutes to play in the second frame. Edouard Houde restored the Hounds’ lead with a power play goal 2:20 later and Baumuller gave Notre Dame a 3-1 lead through two.
Alec Nasreddine added three assists for the home team.
Ryan Hicks had 24 saves in taking the loss, while Mariko Bercier turned in a 32-save performance to earn the win.
Conner Miller and Liam Fitzpatrick continue to lead Moose Jaw in scoring with 19 points each, with Miller having scored seven goals and Fitzpatrick six. Those totals see the duo tied for 14th in league scoring.
Hicks is 12th overall among goaltenders with a 3.58 goals against average and .880 save percentage, while Ryan Bain is 19th with a 4.50 GAA and .863 SP.
The Winmar Warriors are back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 22 when they travel to Swift Current to face the Legionnaires. Next home action is Thursday, Nov. 24 when they host the Estevan Bears. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
