It’s starting to become a bit of a broken record for the local Western Hockey League club, even though the season is only 14 games old. And on Tuesday, it was the Red Deer Rebels who came away with the victory, skating away with a 5-2 win at Mosaic Place.
Brayden Yager and Denton Mateychuk scored for Moose Jaw, who trailed 1-0 after the first and 2-1 through two against the Central Division-leading Rebels.
Things would be different if the Warriors were continuously getting blown out in games, but almost every night recently has resulted in a close battle. The Warriors won their previous two contests but Red Deer made better use of their opportunities this time around -- especially late in the game -- and came away with the win.
Moose Jaw fell to 6-8-0-0 with the loss and remain in third place in the East Division, Red Deer improved to 10-6-1-0 and leapfrogged Edmonton into first in the Central
“It’s tough to go through, but you have to keep going,” said Warriors forward Jagger Firkus, who was one of several Warriors with a host of scoring chances in the game. “If you’re getting chances that’s a good thing and if you’re not getting chances that’s when you got to change it up. You gotta keep rolling with what you’re doing and eventually the bounces will come your way.”
Ben King scored twice for the Rebels, Carter Anderson, Jhett Larson, Ben King and Liam Keeler had their other goals. Arshdeep Bains added three assists.
Finding a way to finish off their myriad opportunities will be a key going forward in Firkus’ eyes, and his description of what it will take sounds a lot like good old-fashioned hard work.
“I think we’re doing our best right now,” he said. “I think obviously we can be harder in the corners, we need to win all our battles, not just a couple and we have to make sure that we’re there, that we’re helping our teammates out and be there a lot quicker. If we work harder, the bounces will get better and that’s how we’ll go for it.”
Former Moose Jaw AAA Warriors and Prairie Hockey Academy standout Chase Coward had a solid game in net in his return to Mosaic Place, turning aside 31 shots. Warriors goaltender Carl Tetachuk also made a host of big saves, making 35 stops in the loss.
One of the major factors in many a decision for the Warriors this season -- specialty teams -- wasn’t a major issue this time around as both teams were 1-for-3 on the power play.
The Warriors are back in action Saturday night when they host the aforementioned Oil Kings (9-3-2-1) before taking on the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sunday, with a special game time of 4 p.m.
