A quick response that changed momentum served the Moose Jaw Warriors well as they ultimately out-lasted the Saskatoon Blades 4-3 in overtime Friday to open the best-of-seven W-H-L Eastern Conference final.
Brayden Yager found some open ice and quickly snapped a shot past Evan Gardner high to his glove side at 12:34 of O-T to give Moose Jaw a 1-0 lead in the series. But, it was a quick response to a Bridge City Bunch tally early in the second period that turned the game in the Warriors’ favour. Just 14 seconds after Egor Sidorov (pictured) had given the Blue and Gold a 2-0 lead, Brayden Schuurman tallied to get Moose Jaw on the scoreboard. That led to three straight Warriors’ goals that looked like it would give them the victory in regulation time. But, Sidorov’s second goal of the game, with 1:27 left in the third period forced extra time. However, Yager’s goal sent most of the crowd of 8,973 home disappointed. Charlie Wright also scored for the Blades, who out-shot Moose Jaw 31-26 and had an eight-game winning streak ended. Atley Calvert and Matthew Savoie also tallied for the Warriors, who extended their winning run to five games. Game 2 of the set goes Saturday at 7 o’clock at SaskTel Centre, a must-win for Saskatoon with Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday in Moose Jaw. CJWW’s Saturday broadcast starts at 6:45 p.m. with the Palliser Rooms E-Q-3 Cutting Edge Pre-Game Show. Following are the audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast, Post-Game Show interviews with head coach Brennan Sonne and defenceman Tanner Molendyk plus the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..
Moose Jaw Warriors 4 (OT) at Saskatoon Blades 3 – Status: Final OT
Friday, April 26, 2024 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK
Moose Jaw 0 2 1 1 – 4
Saskatoon 1 1 1 0 – 3
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Wright 3 (Lisowsky, Watterodt), 3:05. Penalties-Vojtech Port Mj (high sticking), 7:33.
2nd Period-2, Saskatoon, Sidorov 11 (Suzdalev, Siepmann), 1:59. 3, Moose Jaw, Schuurman 3 (Kovacevic, Mateychuk), 2:13. 4, Moose Jaw, Calvert 4 (Savoie, Mateychuk), 8:04. Penalties-No Penalties
3rd Period-5, Moose Jaw, Savoie 8 (McKenzie, Calvert), 15:08. 6, Saskatoon, Sidorov 12 (Molendyk, Wong), 18:33. Penalties-No Penalties
OT Period-7, Moose Jaw, Yager 8 (Firkus, Rysavy), 12:34. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Moose Jaw 7-6-9-4-26. Saskatoon 16-7-5-3-31.
Power Play Opportunities-Moose Jaw 0 / 0; Saskatoon 0 / 1.
Goalies-Moose Jaw, Unger (31 shots-28 saves). Saskatoon, Gardner (26 shots-22 saves).
A-8,973
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Ward Pateman (124).
Linesmen-Sean Dufour (50), Tarrington Wyonzek (137).
