Preview: Warriors Look to Build off Thursday Win in Rematch
October 22, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
The Moose Jaw Warriors put together their most complete game of the season on Thursday when they skated to a 5-2 win over the Regina Pats on home ice.
Moose Jaw won battles at both ends of the ice, scoring four times in the first period and limiting Regina’s opportunities to mount a comeback.
“That’s our identity,” Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk said. “There’s still some things that we can always look at and try to clean up, but for the most part, that’s exactly how we want to play.”
Mateychuk led the Warriors with a goal and three points, while fellow defenceman Cole Jordan picked up a pair of goals.
Jordan said the Warriors received contributions from throughout the lineup.
“It was a great effort by our group and we’re real happy with the result,” he said. “We didn’t really give them a chance from puck drop, it was great game by basically all four lines, all six D and Jackson Unger played a great game.”
The key for the Warriors is now finding a way to build off that performance as they prepare for a rematch with the Pats on Sunday afternoon at the Brandt Centre.
“It’s always a tough game playing them in their own rink, so we’re just going to have to come in with the same mindset,” Jordan said.
Mateychuk said consistency is the focus for the Warriors.
“It was one game, we’ve got another one coming up against them and we have to go out there and do the same thing,” he said. “They’re not going to be happy about that game, they’re going to be in their home rink, so it’s going to be a hard game.”
Sunday will be the fourth meeting of the season between the Trans-Canada rivals. Moose Jaw is 2-1-0-0 against Regina this season.
The Warriors enter Sunday’s game with a 6-4-0-0 record, while the Pats are 6-5-0-1 this season.
The Warriors were able to limit the Pats’ offensive attack to just two goals on 25 shots in Thursday’s win.
Mateychuk said the Warriors will be focused on limiting time and space for the Pats in Sunday’s rematch.
“If you give them space, they can make plays, especially with some of their top forwards, they’re pretty talented,” he said. “You have to make sure you’re taking away their space, being good in transition, have a good [third forward], surfing, do all those things.
“It can frustrate them, so when we do that, it really takes away from them.”
The Warriors and Pats square off at 4 p.m. at the Brandt Centre on Sunday afternoon. Tune into all the action with CHL TV at watch.chl.ca/whl.
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