Warriors Double Tigers 4-2
Ryan Bowen had a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” Tuesday as the Moose Jaw Warriors picked up their 20th win of the season, downing Medicine Hat 4-2 in their first visit to the brand new Canalta Centre.
Moose Jaw had a strong start to the hockey game, they were came across the Tigers line hard and had consistent pressure on the fore-check. Their hard play inside the Medicine Hat zone allowed them to create turnovers and extra time on the attack, and it gave them a 10-4 advantage on the shot clock.
With under seven minutes left in the period Tristan Langan charged down the Tigers left wall and skate to the goal line. Langan was able to toss the puck to the top of the crease where Ryan Bowen put a quick shot past goalie Nick Schneider to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
Moose Jaw had their chances to add to their lead in the second period. They had back-to-back power play’s early but weren’t able to convert, Noah Gregor rang a shot off a post, and they had plenty of pucks inside home plate in front of the Tigers crease.
They were denied on all opportunities and that came back to bite them.
At 11:11 and playing four-on-four, Chad Butcher rushed across the Warriors line and took a shot from the mid slot that Zach Sawchenko got a piece but not enough as the goal tied the game at one.
The Warriors aggressive went back on the attack early in the third period. Two and a half minutes in to the period Jayden Halbgewachs and Tristin Langan worked a give and go in the neutral zone that led to Halbgewachs coming in for a shot. Tigers goalie Nick Schneider had problems squeezing the puck and Halbgewachs was able to chip the rebound over the goal line to make it 2-1.
At the midway point of the frame the Warriors were able to extend their lead. Nikita Popugaev led a rush across the line on the left wing and then cut to the middle of the Tigers zone. The Russian rookie made a beautiful pass to Ryan Bowen at the left crease where he guided the puck in for his second of the night to make it 3-1.
Medicine Hat leaned on their power play to get back in the game, a Cole Sanford goal on the man-advantage at 11:20 cut in to the Warriors lead. Three minutes later Noah Gregor put the Warriors back up by two with his 16th of the season, beating Schneider with a backhand at the right goal line.
In the final moments of the game the Tigers were put on the power play and desperately tried to get back in the game but Moose Jaw turned them aside and skated to the win.
Ryan Bowen led the Warriors with two goals and three points, Tristin Langan picked up two assists, Zach Sawchenko made 30 saves in the win. Moose Jaw was 0-for-2 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Moose Jaw is off until the weekend, Saturday they’re at home to battle the Saskatoon Blades and then on Sunday they head to Swift Current for an afternoon game. Western Nissan Warriors Hockey returns to Country 100 Friday with the PreGame Show at 6:40pm, Sunday’s coverage will start with the PreGame Show at 1:40pm.
