Jackson Unger out-duelled Evan Gardner in a goaltenders’ battle Tuesday, allowing the Moose Jaw Warriors to defeat the Saskatoon Blades 3-1 and take a 2-1 lead in the W-H-L’s best-of-seven Eastern Conference final.
The reigning league Goaltender-of-the-Week, Unger sparkled Tuesday by stopping 31 of 32 shots – including all 16 that he faced in the third period. His best save was a sprawling glove stop off Charlie Wright in the second half of the third period with the Warriors leading 2-1. Only a first period blast by Grayden Siepmann (pictured) eluded the 19-year-old Calgarian. Gardner was brilliant in the first period, stopping all 18 shots he faced. However, for a third straight game, the team opening the scoring went on to lose in this series. Atley Calvert on a second period power play, Martin Rysavy with the winner in the third period and Denton Mateychuk with an insurance tally into an empty Bridge City Bunch net accounted for Moose Jaw’s offence. Gardner stopped 29 of 31 shots. The Blue and Gold will look to take their turn in the winner’s circle Wednesday and even the set at 2-2 before a Game 5 on Friday at SaskTel Centre. CJWW’s broadcast Wednesday starts at 6:45 p.m. with the Palliser Rooms E-Q-3 Cutting Edge Pre-Game Show and the play-by-play at 7 o’clock. Following are the audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast, Post-Game Show comments from head coach Brennan Sonne and the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..
Saskatoon Blades 1 at Moose Jaw Warriors 3 – Status: Final
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 – Moose Jaw Events Centre – Moose Jaw, SK
Saskatoon 1 0 0 – 1
Moose Jaw 0 1 2 – 3
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Siepmann 1 (Armstrong, Suzdalev), 10:50. Penalties-Calvert Mj (holding), 16:18.
2nd Period-2, Moose Jaw, Calvert 6 (Mateychuk, Firkus), 3:43 (PP). Penalties-James Sas (hooking), 3:26.
3rd Period-3, Moose Jaw, Rysavy 4 (Firkus, Savoie), 7:14. 4, Moose Jaw, Mateychuk 6 18:47 (EN). Penalties-Hansen Sas (high sticking), 0:48; Rysavy Mj (tripping), 10:09.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 9-7-16-32. Moose Jaw 18-9-5-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 2; Moose Jaw 1 / 2.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Gardner (31 shots-29 saves). Moose Jaw, Unger (32 shots-31 saves).
A-4,483
Referees-Corey Koop (53), Troy Murray (34).
Linesmen-Tanner McGregor (55), Devan Thiessen (94).
