Weekend Continues With 6-2 Win In Regina
Following a pair of slow starts to kick-off the preseason, the Moose Jaw Warriors came flying out of the gate on Saturday night in Regina.
The Warriors scored twice in the first period and rolled to a 6-2 win over the Regina Pats at the Co-operators Centre.
Dustin Perillat potted a hat trick and Ryan Bowen scored twice and added two assists in the win for the Warriors.
“We came out slow (Friday) and tied up the game late and then we came out today and had a good start right off the hop and ended up with the win,” said Perillat.
The 18-year-old defenceman has struggled to start the preseason, but picked up where he left off during his rookie season last year, scoring on three shots from the point — two coming on the power play.
“I didn’t play my best (Friday), so coming out today threw pucks on net, good things happened for me today and I’m just glad I played good,” said Perillat.
“I just wasn’t moving my feet in the first period on Friday and that cost me a goal and then I slowly started getting better throughout the game, but I didn’t play my best and I’m glad I came out today and tried my best,” he added.
Bowen continued his strong preseason by scoring his third and fourth goals of the season. He opened the game with a nice deke and shot four minutes into the game and scored his second on a bad angle shot from the goal line that he roofed over Regina goalie Tyler Brown.
“Each and every game I’m starting to get more comfortable and happily contributing and the score tonight turned out the way we wanted to,” said Bowen. “I’m liking where things are headed.”
Bowen and Brett Howden played much of the game together and showed a strong connection throughout. Bowen said he’s enjoying playing with the fellow 17-year-old forward so far during the preseason.
“He’s a super good player, he’s really one of a kind and it’s really special getting to play with him and I’m looking forward to the season with him,” said Bowen.
The Warriors upped the pace on the Pats right from the opening puck dropped and put together a solid 60-minute effort after struggling off the hop on Friday night against Calgary.
Bowen and Perillat scored in the first period for Moose Jaw.
Rykr Cole got Regina on the board early in the second period, but Bowen would score just over a minute later to restore the two-goal lead for the Tribe.
James Hilsendager scored on the power play late in the second period to make it a one-goal game going into the third period.
The Warriors kept the pressure up in the third period and were rewarded with three goals — two from Perillat and one from Jiri Smejkal — in the final 3:15 of the third to seal the win.
Moose Jaw finished the game with four defencemen after 19-year-old defenceman Dallas Valentine squared off with Regina’s Luc Smith for the Warriors’ first fight of the preseason.
Perillat said the more ice time allowed him to get more of a groove as the game went on.
“My legs started to feel heavy in the third, but it gave me more motivation to play harder, work harder, win all my battles and have good short shifts,” said Perillat.
Brody Willms made his first appearance of the preseason and turned away 28 of Regina’s 30 shots. The Warriors threw 47 shots on Brown in the win.
Smejkal finished with a goal and three points, while Colin Paradis, Tanner Jeannot and Jayden Halbgewachs all finished with two assists.
The Warriors are back in action on Friday when they open a home-and-home with the Medicine Hat Tigers in Medicine Hat. The Tigers come to Mosaic Place next Saturday.
