RECAP | Warriors take OT-thriller to open 2026/2027 season over Blades

MOOSE JAW, Sask. – The Moose Jaw Warriors opened their season with an OT-thriller at the Temple Gardens Centre on Saturday night. 

The Blades wasted no time in breaking open the scoring. 50 seconds into the opening frame, with a goal from Hunter Laing. Following a roughing penalty to Moose Jaw’s Cohen Williams, the Blades capitalized on the man-advantage to double their lead.

Back at even strength, Colt Carter notched the game’s third goal in as many minutes to bring the Warriors back within one. Moments later, forward Casey Brown was assessed a minor penalty for hooking, but the Warriors penalty kill stood strong. Again back at even strength, Gage Nagel sent his own rebound past Saskatoon’s goaltender to tie the game. 

Just 23 seconds later, Colt Carter fired a shot from near the blue line that trickled past Saskatoon’s netminder to give the Warriors a one-goal lead. This marked the end of the night for Saskatoon’s rookie goaltender, Max Hartel. 

The team exchanged minor penalties near the midway point of the frame, but both teams’ penalty kills stood strong. Late in the frame, following a tripping call to Gage Nagel, Hunter Laing tied the game with a power-play goal. The Warriors ended the period with 1:43 left on the power play following a roughing call to Saskatoon’s Tyrone Sobry. 

Cooper Williams retook the lead for the Blades two-and-a-half minutes into the middle period. The Warriors rebounded midway through the period with Gage Nagel’s second goal of the game. Quickly after, Saskatoon’s Cohen Lewko was assessed a minor penalty for holding, and the Warriors landed back on the power play. Mathieu Lajoie was able to capitalize and give the Warriors back the lead. 

With under four minutes to play in the period, Casey Brown was called for slashing, and the Warriors headed back to the penalty kill. The Warriors stood strong to keep the lead. With 13 seconds remaining, Blades forward Tristen Mitchell-McElhone capitalized to bring the Blades back even heading into the final frame. 

Early in the frame, the team exchanged power play opportunities, but neither team broke through. Near the six-minute mark of the final frame, Kash Andresen sent home his first of the season to put the Warriors up by one. Late in the frame, Brayden Klimpke responded to once again tie the game. 

With 35 seconds to play in regulation, Saskatoon’s Ben Bowtell was assessed a minor penalty for hooking. The Warriors took their man advantage into overtime, where Gage Nagel sealed the victory with his hat-trick goal. 

In net, Jordan Switzer made 32 saves on 38 shots. Across the ice, Taye Timmerman and Max Hartel combined for 20 saves on 27 shots. The Warriors went two for five on the power play and five for six on the penalty kill. 

The Warriors hit the road to Swift Current on Friday, September 25. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm. Follow along with the game action with James Gallo or watch for free on the WHL’s YouTube channel.