Thrilling end to a hard series
A thrilling and entertaining 1st round playoff series ended last night at Mosaic Place with the Moose Jaw Warriors picking up a 5-4 win over the Prince Albert Raiders in the 7th and deciding game of their series.
There was a ton of energy in the building to start the game as the Warriors fans looked to give the boys some energy but unfortunately the visitors struck first.
1:28 in to the game the Warriors weren’t able to get the puck out of their zone, a Raiders defenseman took a shot from the left point and then Justin Nachbaur was able to deflect it in.
Prince Albert increased their lead at 5:59 when they plucked the puck off the Moose Jaw right boards and tossed the puck cross ice to Parker Kelly who slid the puck in.
Moose Jaw used their speed and skill to fight their way back in to the game as they pressed the Raiders deep inside their zone.
At 7:23 the Warriors forced a turnover and set up Kale Clague for a shot between the Prince Albert circles. The rebound came to Jayden Halbgewachs who slid the puck between the pads of Ian Scott for his 2nd of the playoffs.
25 seconds later the Raiders had their puck at their left goal line and looked to move the puck north. Their outlet pass went off of Ryan Peckford and snuck past Scott to tie the game at two.
Just past the midway point and playing 4-on-4, the Raiders Parker Kelly was able to get the inside lane on a Warriors defenseman and drove the net for a shot. The puck went off of Brody Willms and then off the skate of Kelly and over the goal line to give the Raiders a 3-2 lead.
2:41 in to the second period the Warriors had thought they tied the game when Ryan Peckford deflected a shot from the blueline. However, the official went up to the video goal judge who overturned the goal saying it was on a high stick.
Moose Jaw continued to battle in the second period and with just over two minutes left in the frame they landed on the power play.
Brayden Burke controlled the puck on the right wall and made a great pass to the slot where Justin Almeida received the puck and let a quick shot go that beat Ian Scott for his 4th of the playoffs, tying the game at three.
With nine minutes to go in the third period Burke and Almeida teamed up again while on another Warriors power play. Burke set up Almeida between the Prince Albert circles where he snapped a quick shot for his second of the game to give the Warriors a 4-3 lead.
Inside the final five minutes of the game the Warriors landed back on the power play but the Raiders decided to press. They were able to set up Brayden Pachal on the right side of the neutral zone where he drove to the Moose Jaw net and picked up a shorthanded goal to tie the game at four.
Still on the power play the Warriors were determined to respond. 30 seconds later Kale Clague kept the puck inside the Raiders zone and dished it off to Burke on the right wall. He skated inside the circle and then put a shot to the net that beat Ian Scott to give the Warriors the lead.
Prince Albert fought hard for an equalizer but the Warriors held their ground and picked up the tight 5-4 win to clinch this 1st round playoff series.
Brayden Burke finished with a goal and three points, Justin Almeida scored two goals, Kale Clague picked up four assists, and Brody Willms made 24 saves.
Moose Jaw was 3-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill (which included working off a 2-man Raider advantage for 1:13 in the third period.
The Warriors now move on to the 2nd round of the WHL Playoffs where they’ll battle the Swift Current Broncos. Game’s 1 and 2 are Friday and Saturday at Mosaic Place, tickets go on sale Wednesday morning at 10am. Game’s 3 and 4 are next Tuesday and Wednesday in Swift Current.
