The playoffs are approaching in the WHL, and the Moose Jaw Warriors believe they are well-equipped for a successful playoff run.
The Warriors are set to face the Brandon Wheat Kings in the first round of the playoffs.
The two teams last met in the 2016 playoffs, with Brandon defeating Moose Jaw 4-1 in the second round.
This season's regular games between them were evenly matched, with both teams securing three wins, along with one in overtime or a shootout.
Jagger Firkus of the Warriors has had an outstanding season, leading the league with 126 points. He is hopeful that this will be the year the team makes a championship push.
“I’m very excited about our team,” Firkus stated after Tuesday's practice. “I believe that the players we acquired at the trade deadline strengthen our team significantly. The depth in our lineup is perhaps the most impressive aspect of our team — the ability to rotate all three lines and compete with every other team.”
Matthew Savoie is one of the key players obtained at the trade deadline. He has amassed 47 points in 23 games with the Warriors.
With the addition of other potential first-round NHL draft picks like Brayden Yager and Denton Mateychuk, the Warriors possess a significant offensive threat.
“Last year with the group we had in Winnipeg it was similar,” Savoie commented. “We had a really special group that I was with for a number of years but it was time to turn the page and I think this is a group to really do that with and move on with and really go after it with.”
Head coach Mark O’Leary mentioned that the team has been diligently preparing for the Wheat Kings. He also stated that after competing against them eight times already this season, the outcome will depend on which team desires victory more.
“They’re very good off the rush, and we can’t turn pucks over in bad areas through the red zone and really it’s about playing the right way and finishing on top of them,” O’Leary said. “But we don’t want to get into a track meet because we know they’re pretty good at that kind of hockey.”
As the third-seeded team, the Warriors will have the advantage of playing the first two games of the series at home, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
