Strong second period powers Warriors to series tie with Broncos
One night after suffering a 7-2 loss at the hands of the Swift Current Broncos in game one of their second round WHL playoff series, the Moose Jaw Warriors responded in kind.
“We did a great job. You could tell right from when they walked in the building this morning,” Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary said post game. “Bad things happen and it’s all about what you do next. We get up quick and we punch back.”
The Warriors did most of their punching in the middle frame. Moose Jaw’s offence exploded for six second period goals to take a 7-1 lead after 40 minutes.
“I loved our response tonight, that’s huge, especially in a series like this. They took it to us yesterday and we brought a different kind of energy tonight,” said Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk.
“Their best players made some really high end plays, picking some spots. They’re a team that we know can score and has really good offensive abilities. They just got on us in the second period and built that momentum and I don’t think we did a good enough job killing that momentum,” Broncos head coach Taras McEwen said.
The Warriors came flying out of the gates dominating play for the first ten minutes before the Broncos pushed back hard. Josh Filmon opened the scoring on a well placed one-timer over the glove of Warriors goaltender Jackson Unger.
The lead was short lived, however. The Broncos employed a five forward power play that created some chances but gave up a single turnover, that resulted in a two-on-one, and a Brayden Yager goal.
The Warriors seemingly could not miss in the second period. Matthew Savoie took a slash to the hands on a partial break from Tyson Galloway, leading to a man-advantage.
It took the Warriors power play unit all of 11 seconds to capitalize when Savoie fed Yager behind the net and he jammed home a wraparound attempt to give the Warriors a 3-1 lead.
“We knew we had a good [first] period. We knew we could do better and we took it to them in the second period,” said Mateychuk of the effort.
Mateychuk scored what would be the game winner just 39 seconds later when he picked up the puck at the opposing blue line and drove down the left side, firing a shot over the outstretched glove of Reid Dyck in the Broncos goal.
Jagger Firkus, the WHL’s regular season scoring champion, added the insurance goal just over two minutes later on a one timer set up by Yager. Martin Rysavy and Kalem Parker each added singles to make it 7-1 after 40 minutes.
Reid Dyck was replaced in goal for Swift Current by back-up Joey Rocha who was marvellous in relief, stopping 14 of the 15 shots he faced, several of them were high percentage chances.
“Really good for him to get in the net and gives us confidence in him. Really happy for him to get in and play the way he did,” said McEwen of the relief effort.
Caleb Wyrostek scored the third period’s lone goal with just over five minutes to play.
The Broncos coaching staff says there was plenty to learn from game two. Both teams say they’ll take advantage of the rest between games two and three to recharge.
“There are still things we can do better. We feel good about a lot of our game right now, we just need to emulate,” said O’Leary of his Warriors.
The series now shifts to Swift Current for games three and four beginning Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fort McMurray evacuees welcomed home Saturday as crews make progress on wildfire
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Scottie Scheffler, from the course to jail and back: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Hot weather poses new risk as thousands remain without power after deadly Houston storm
As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to hundreds of thousands after deadly storms left at least seven people dead, it will do so amid a smog warning and scorching temperatures that could pose health risks.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.