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Penalty trouble sinks AAA Warriors in loss to Blazers

Saskatoon scores three third-period goals on way to 3-1 win
When you’re as young as the Moose Jaw AAA Warriors are this season, you’re going to have to learn a few things on the go.

Even if it’s something you should probably know – like how taking a ton of penalties will cost you a hockey game even if you manage to kill most of them off.

Atley Calvert scored the Warriors’ lone goal in the second period against the Saskatoon Blazers and gave the Tribe a 1-0 lead heading into the final frame of their Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League contest on Saturday afternoon, only to see the Saskatoon score three unanswered goals on their way to a 3-1 win.

“Two of the three games now we’ve probably taken three-to-one in penalties and today it cost us,” said Warriors head coach Trevor Weisgerber. “We’ve addressed it already and we’ve talked about so hopefully we can clean that up.”

The Warriors fell to 1-2-0-0 on the season, Saskatoon improved to 4-1-0-0.

While the penalty numbers weren’t overly extravagant – the Warriors took seven minors, Saskatoon three – the timing of the penalties was concerning, often breaking up stretches where the local squad had gained a bit of momentum.

The worst came with 6:15 to play, though, when Ryan Conlon scored the eventual game-winning goal on the man advantage.

“They’re an older team and they have that composure, but it comes back to the penalties,” Weisgerber said. “If you’re taking that many penalties they’re going to get one. So that’s disappointing, but five-on-five we played very well and we were fine, we just have to stay out of the penalty box… If we minimize our penalties, we don’t have any issues, I think we match up well with other teams.”

Chase Coward made 28 saves for the Warriors, while WHL Warriors prospect Brett Mirwald made 17 saves for the Blazers.

Moose Jaw will now have a week off before returning to the ice next Saturday for a pair of weekend contests against the Battlefords Stars. Game times are 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.

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