Moose Jaw Warriors clinch berth in 2024 WHL Playoffs
The Moose Jaw Warriors are locked and loaded for a seventh straight trip to the WHL Playoffs.
The Eastern Division powerhouse qualified on March 1 by earning a single point against the Everett Silvertips, though they’d leave Angel of the Winds Arena with two after beating the Tips 8-7 in the shootout.
With a point gained, the Silvertips, who had already qualified for playoffs, sealed home-ice advantage in Round One.
The Warriors (38-19-0-2) have thrilled fans with high-flying performances from players like Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus, who has eclipsed 100 points for the first time in his WHL career to lead the league in scoring for the majority of the season.
Firkus is one of seven NHL prospects on the Warriors roster, which includes first-round picks Matthew Savoie (Buffalo Sabres, ninth overall), Denton Mateychuk (Columbus Blue Jackets, 12th overall) and Brayden Yager (Pittsburgh Penguins, 14th overall).
Staggering point streaks have become the hallmark of Moose Jaw’s season, with Firkus netting a league-high 51 points in 26 straight matches to set a new franchise record and Captain Denton Mateychuk racking up 35 points in 23 games.
Hometown boy Atley Calvert earned WHL Player of the Month honours with 27 points in 12 outings to lead all skaters in February.
The Warriors made a splash in ahead of the WHL Trade Deadline by acquiring Savoie from the Wenatchee Wild in a blockbuster deal.
Savoie, who made his NHL debut for the Sabres earlier this season, has 14 goals and 16 assists in 16 games since making tracks for the Notorious City
Between the pipes, workhorse veteran Jackson Unger has played the most minutes of any WHL goaltender this season- and has the most wins to match, surpassing 30 victories for the first time in his career.
The Warriors will chase the first championship in Moose Jaw’s history when the puck drops on the 2024 WHL playoffs this spring.
Stay up to date on the regular season home stretch and follow the postseason action on WHLlive.com.