Game Story: Blades at Warriors

The Moose Jaw Warriors increased their lead atop the East Division with a 5-2 win over the Saskatoon Blades Wednesday night at Mosaic Place.

In the final showdown of the 2011-12 regular season, the Warriors came from behind to gain a nine point lead over the second place Blades in the East Division. But more significantly, the Warriors keep winning and pushing the Edmonton Oil Kings for that number one spot in the Eastern Conference.

Kenton Miller continues (to raise eyebrows outside of the organization with) his offensive output this season. The veteran forward scored his first career WHL hat trick in the game and now has 26 goals on the campaign. Coming into the contest tonight, the Redvers, Saskatchewan native, had scored five game winning goals in the last five Warriors victories. Miller sealed the game by scoring the fourth and fifth Warriors' goals, the lone scorer in the final period.

The second period was an offensive outburst for the Warriors. The home side scored four goals to take a two goal lead heading into the third. Miller ended the four goal outbreak by his club with just less than three minutes remaining in the frame. Quinton Howden got it started on the powerplay with his 25th of the season. Then Miller scored his first of two in the period 28 seconds later to tie the game. Cam Braes gave the Warriors the lead on a nice dish by Sam Fioretti and that would put the Warriors up 4-2 after 40 minutes.

The Warriors fell behind the eight ball in the first period. Fomer Warrior Jesse Paradis opened the scoring. Then Lukas Sutter added to the Blades lead. After the first period of play, the visitors had a two-goal lead. Although the shots were even at 10 by each club.

Miller was named the game's first star, Sam Fioretti was named second star, with his tenacious effort and his set up of the game winning goal. Darren Dietz of the Blades got the nod as the third star. Dylan McIlrath was named the Hardest Working Warrior of the game.

The Medicine Hat Tigers come to Mosaic in the first of a home-and-home set Friday night. Puck drop will be the usual 7 p.m. at Mosaic Place. Prior to the game, Warriors Educational Advisor Ms. RoseMary Hartney will be honoured with the WHL Distinguished Service Award. Ms. Hartney has been a volunteer for many years helping Warriors' players with their educational aspirations. Saturday is the return match with the Tigers at the Medicine Hat Arena game time is 830 p.m. CST.

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