'Live in the moment': Moose Jaw Warriors alumnus remembers 2006 playoff run
For the first time since 2006 the Moose Jaw Warriors have advanced to the Western Hockey League (WHL) championship series and members from the team 18 years ago are reminiscing about the last time the organization made it this far.
“It was my 19 year old year and we had just come off a year of being at the bottom of the league. I think we only had seven or eight wins the year before. So I think that year we had a bit of a chip on our shoulder to begin with and expanded on that when we got to the playoffs,” Cole Simpson said.
Simpson hails from Tisdale, Sask. and was a defenceman for the Warriors for two seasons, including the 2005-06 campaign that saw the team advance all the way to the WHL Championship series.
“We kind of exceeded expectations and I contribute that a lot to the grit and determination within our group. We were the third or fourth seed going into playoffs that year,” Simpson reminisced.
In the first round that year Moose Jaw defeated Brandon 4-2, went on to be underdogs and defeat the Calgary Hitmen in seven games the next round. Simpson says that round played a huge role in their ability to get past Medicine Hat in the conference final.
“We managed to scrape out a game seven victory [against Calgary] and then we had zero time. That’s the biggest part I remember. We were down three to Calgary in the second round and ended up winning and had to play two nights later in Medicine Hat. Everyone thought Medicine Hat was going to walk all over us,” said Simpson. “We went in there on a high and we took two games right off the bat and ended up finishing them in five.”
That year the season took place in the iconic ‘Crushed Can’ arena in Moose Jaw and the team says the building alone made it a playoff run to remember.
“That’s one thing that really comes to mind is the Crushed Can was absolutely packed full of people. Top to bottom, all around the sides. I think the capacity was only a little over 3000 but I’m sure they had a heck of a lot more in that building. The fact that the building allowed the sound to funnel down. It was just absolutely crazy playing in there,” Simpson said.
On top of the fans watching the games there was also a buzz around the city.
“The community support, the fans, that really made it special, because there was a feeling of pride. The whole community, not only in the rink but I mean walking down the street people were recognizing you and giving you compliments or saying good luck,” Simpson said.
Unfortunately the playoff run came to an end when the Warriors were swept by the Vancouver Giants in the WHL final. It was the longest playoff run in franchise history nonetheless.
“When we got that far I was surprised at that time that it was the furthest any team had ever been. The fact that it took 18 years to do it again is supposing. Hopefully they have a little bit more success than we did. Guess they only have to win one game,” Simpson said with a laugh.
When Simpson was asked what advice he would give to this year’s squad he did not hesitate to tell them to enjoy it.
“They just need to live in the moment. They’re going to look back and realize how amazing and how special this time is. I think they just need to take it all in. I think they’ll leave everything they have on the ice and hopefully with some success.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Republicans join Trump's attacks on justice system and campaign of vengeance after guilty verdict
Embracing Donald Trump's strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system after his historic guilty verdict, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in the GOP bid to reclaim the White House.
Daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt files court petition to remove father's last name
A daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filed paperwork to legally remove "Pitt" from her name on the day she turned 18.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
U.K. ambassador to Mexico out after video allegedly shows him pointing a rifle at a colleague
The U.K.’s ambassador to Mexico has left his post after a video was posted on social media that purportedly shows him pointing an assault rifle at an embassy employee.
U.S. defense secretary says war with China neither imminent nor unavoidable, stressing need for talks
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told a gathering of top security officials Saturday that war with China was neither imminent nor unavoidable, despite rapidly escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, stressing the importance of renewed dialogue between him and his Chinese counterpart in avoiding "miscalculations and misunderstandings."
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Is carbon pricing a politically feasible climate policy? Research says maybe not
Research suggests the Liberals may be fighting a losing battle, and some experts are urging policymakers to look for alternative policies to lower emissions, warning the threat of climate change is too dire to delay action.