Warriors Score Four In Third, Down Americans
The Moose Jaw Warriors scored four goals in the third period Tuesday, coming from behind to beat the Tri City Americans in Kennewick, Washington.
Throughout the first period the Warriors and Americans exchanged scoring opportunities. Just past the seven minute mark Dryden Hunt stormed on the left wing towards the Tri City net then flipped the puck to Brett Howden for a quick shot from the top of the right crease.
Howden’s shot was stopped by the left pad of Evan Sarthou, and the Americans moved ahead in a hurry.
Jordan Topping sprung Parker Bowles in the neutral zone right wing. The 20-year-old cut hard to the Moose Jaw net and put a backhand over the glove of Brody Willms to get the game’s first goal.
Moose Jaw outshot the Americans 14-13 in the opening period and both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play in the frame.
The second period saw more opportunities for the Warriors, the most notable was when Howden rang a puck off the post on a power play.
The teams combined for 13 shots in the middle frame but neither was able to push the puck over the goal line.
Sixty seconds into the third period the Warriors flipped the puck to the Tri City end boards. Jiri Smejkal battled hard along the wall, then made a backhand pass to Jesse Shynkaruk inside the right circle where he rifled a shot for his third of the year, tying the game at one.
Moose Jaw didn’t let off the gas pedal, 39 seconds later Nikita Popugaev broke across the Americans line and skate to the top of the left circle where he snapped in his eighth of the year to give Moose Jaw their first lead of the game.
Tri City came right back three minutes later, they pinned the Warriors inside their zone and forced the puck to the top of the crease where Parker AuCoin chipped the puck in on a goal mouth scramble to tie the game at two.
Both teams battled throughout the remainder of the third period for the go-ahead goal. With three minutes left in regulation Jayden Halbgewachs led an odd-man rush across the Tri City line. The 18-year-old made a pretty pass to Dryden Hunt on the right wing where he hammered home the eventual game winning goal.
Hunt added an empty net goal for insurance with just over a minutes remaining, and the Warriors skated to a 4-2 win. Moose Jaw outshot the Americans 18-14 in the third and 38-34 overall, they were 0-for-4 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Moose Jaw’s road trip continues Wednesday with their only meeting of the season against the Portland Winterhawks.
Last year Portland posted a 6-2 win over the Warriors at Mosaic Place. Brett Howden and Brayden Point scored for the Warriors, Oliver Bjorkstrand had two goals and three points for Portland, Nick Petan had three assists, and Dominic Turgeon had two assists.
Their last meeting in Portland was January 17, 2014, that night the Winterhawks won 8-2. Sam Fioretti and Brayden Point had a goal and two points each for the Warriors, Chase De Leo led Portland with four assists; Derrick Pouliot had a goal and three points, and Nick Petan had three assists.
Moose Jaw’s last win in Portland was February 15, 2010, that night they edged the Winterhawks 7-6. Dylan McIlrath led the Warriors with a goal and three points, Quinton Howden had two goals, and Joe Morrow led Portland with two goals.
Western Nissan Warriors Hockey returns to Country 100 starting with the PreGame Show at 8:40pm.
