Even with how things are going for the Moose Jaw Warriors through their impressive run of success, there are going to be nights where no matter what they do, things just aren’t going to work out.
Sunday afternoon marked one of those rare occasions as of late, as the Saskatoon Blades held on for a 4-2 victory over the Warriors in Western Hockey League action in Saskatoon.
The loss was only the second in regulation for the local squad in their last 15 games and saw Moose Jaw fall to 30-18-3-2, still good enough for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, four points up on Saskatoon.
Tristen Robins opened scoring at the 7:03 mark of the first, as the Blades took advantage of their first power play to set up the overage forward for a cross-ice one-timer from the left face-off dot. Warriors goaltender Carl Tetachuk nearly got across to make the save, but the puck would sneak under his blocker for the early 1-0 Saskatoon lead.
The Warriors would have a handful of chances as the period progressed but wouldn’t be able to beat Saskatoon’s Nolan Maier. That is, until 5:19 into the second frame.
It was one of the usual suspects who got the job done, as Jagger Firkus unloaded a howitzer of a shot from the top of the right face-off circle that beat Maier low blocker side.
The goal was Firkus’ team-leading 30th of the season and sees the 17-year-old continue to lead his age group in WHL scoring.
The Blades got that one back with 8:14 to play in the second when Jayden Wiens took a clean faceoff win in the Warriors zone and sent the puck back to Vaughn Watterodt, whose quick shot beat Tetachuk to the short side.
Saskatoon increased their lead to 3-1 with 4:03 left in the frame. Brandon Lisowsky simply threw the puck at the net from the blueline, only to have Trevor Wong outduel a Warriors defender in front of the net and tip the shot home.
After a back-and-forth third period, the Warriors finally put together a string of pressure in the Blades zone and were rewarded when Ryder Korczak scored with 3:02 remaining. Denton Mateychuk played set-up man, driving to the goal line before hitting Korczak with a pass out front at the side of the net. A quick shot to the glove side, and Moose Jaw was within one.
That would be as close as they’d get, though, as WHL scoring leader Kyle Crnkovic added an empty-net goal with 15 seconds to play and Saskatoon had their win in the books.
Tetachuk finished the game with 27 saves, while Maier had 25 stops for Saskatoon.
The Warriors will now have a full week off before taking the ice on Friday, Mar. 4 when they host the Prince Albert Raiders. Game time is 7 p.m. at Mosaic Place.
