The Moose Jaw Warriors have had a tumultuous week, navigating a series of midweek games in the Sask AA Hockey League that yielded a mix of victories and defeats.
The U13 Warriors secured a hard-fought 7-5 triumph over the Regina Mustangs on Wednesday night, while the U15 Warriors suffered a challenging 9-3 loss to the Humboldt Broncos on the same evening. On Thursday, the U18 Warriors also experienced a 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Wings.
Presently, the U13s hold the eighth position in the South Division with a 4-3-0 record. The U15s are still in pursuit of their first win in 11 games, while the U18s maintain a 6-10-1-1 record, positioning them at sixth place in the league.
In their match against the Mustangs, the U13 Warriors rallied from a 2-1 deficit after the first period, scoring four times in the second to secure a 5-4 lead. They ultimately clinched the victory with an empty net goal in the final minutes. This marked their third consecutive victory, during which they scored an impressive 25 goals. Rylan Deichert and Braxton Casemore each contributed a goal and four points, while Connor Livingston scored the remaining goal. Their goaltender, Glenn Drummond, made 29 saves to secure the win.
Looking ahead, the U13s have two upcoming games this weekend, as they host Estevan on Friday and a rematch against the Mustangs on Saturday at the Red Knight Arena.
The U15s faced a formidable challenge against the North Division-leading Humboldt Broncos. While they kept pace in the first period, the Broncos managed to secure a 3-2 lead with two late goals. The game did not unfold as planned, with the Broncos extending their lead in the subsequent periods before ultimately winning 9-3. Drayson Silbernagel, Jackson Boyle, and Reid Florent were the scorers for the U15 Warriors, while their goaltender Peyton Watt faced 45 shots in goal. The U15s are scheduled to play against the Wings on Saturday, Dec. 9.
On the other hand, the U18 Warriors had their three-game league winning streak halted by a 6-3 loss to the Weyburn team. Despite taking an early 1-0 lead in the first period, the Warriors were unable to contain their opponents, who scored five unanswered goals in the second period. The U18s will look to bounce back when they face the Regina Capitals on Thursday, Dec. 7.
The series of midweek games certainly tested the resilience and determination of the Moose Jaw Warriors across all age groups. Despite facing setbacks, they continue to show promise and potential as they strive for success in the Sask AA Hockey League.