Warriors Split Weekend Series with Swift Current

Moose Jaw and Swift Current hooked up for a weekend series to kick off the 2012-2013 WHL regular season.  Before they dropped the puck Friday night at Mosaic Place, the Warriors hung their 2012 WHL East Division championship banner in an electrifying ceremony.  Swift Current scored two in the first and led 3-0 midway through the game, and then the Warriors power play went to work.  Sam Fioretti and Carter Hansen scored second period goals, Justin Kirsch found the equalizer early in the third period.  In overtime, Andrew Johnson was awarded a penalty shot and made good on the opportunity, scoring the game winner a 4-3 decision.  Johnson was named the game’s first star and the Dickies Hardest Worker.

The next night in Swift Current the Broncos got their revenge; Adam Lowry had a hat trick in a 7-1 win over the Tribe.  Morgan Rielly scored the lone Warriors goal, while Colby Cave, Ryon Moser, Coda Gordon, and Josh Derko had singles for the Broncos.  Moose Jaw was 1-for-5 on the power play and 3-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Tribe Preparing For a Pair of Division Battles

Friday night the Warriors travel to Prince Albert for their first meeting of the season against the Raiders.  Moose Jaw was 7-1 against the Raiders in 2011-2012; their only loss was a 3-1 decision in “Hockey Town North”.  This meeting will mark the first time that Luke Siemens and Shayne Gwinner will square off against the Warriors, both were traded to Prince Albert during the off season.

Saturday the Warriors return home to take on Brandon, last season Moose Jaw posted a 6-1-1 record against the Wheat Kings.  In 2011-2012 the Warriors were an impressive 4-0 in Brandon; they went 2-1-1 at Mosaic Place.  In the 2012 Pre-Season, Moose Jaw won both meetings against Brandon by a combined score of 12-4.

Prospect watch

Warrior prospects Ben Duperreault and Zachary Sawchenko battled against each other last weekend in a SMAAAHL home and home pre-season series between the Moose Jaw Generals and Notre Dame Hounds.  Saturday in Wilcox, Sawchenko made 13 saves on 14 shots for the Hounds in a 2-1 overtime win, Sunday Duperreault had a goal for Moose Jaw in a 5-1 win over the Hounds (Sawchenko did not play for the Hounds).

Community Events

This week the Warriors will head out into the community for a number of events.  On Tuesday Sam Fioretti, Kendall McFaull, Morgan Rielly, and Austin Bourhis will head to Prince Arthur for the first “Read to Succeed” visit of the year.  Thursday marks the first Subway School Patrol of the year, Andrew Johnson, Travis Brown, Joel Edmundson, and Justin Kirsch will be at William Grayson.

At Friday’s home opener against Swift Current, Brayden Point was unveiled as the new champion for Hunger in Moose Jaw.  This program is a partnership between the Warriors and the Mosaic Company; Mosaic not only provides funding in the community but their employees are dedicated to hands-on giving. 

Friday’s home opener was presented by the Mosaic Company, before the game employees handed out “Planet Red Glow Wands” to fans, during the game Mosaic employees were recognized for their volunteer efforts over the last two months for a work project which improved the condition, safety, and appearance of Hunger in Moose Jaw’s building.