The Moose Jaw Warriors five day layover between games ends tonight with the first of two weekend games.
The team is currently riding a three game winning streak and has done a great job over the last few weeks keeping the opposition's shots down.
Defenceman Dallas Ehrhardt says that's due to their commitment to team defence. "Seems in the last month we've realized how important it is and how we can shut teams out that can eliminating their chances. We have a team that can play really good defensively, and for us that's helped us get offense too."
The Warriors special teams has played a major role in their current success. The power play has scored seven goals in the last three games, while the penalty kill has given up just one in the last 13 opportunities.
"How hockey is right now, you're going to win or lose games with your special teams," said Ehrhardt. "We didn't have the best start to it and it showed how we were playing out there. Lately we've picked it up and we've been getting goals for and a lot less against."
The Warriors open their weekend schedule tonight at Mosaic Place with their second meeting of the season against Saskatoon, and their first inside Moose Jaw's new facility.
The two teams have had a number of close games over the last couple of years, and Ehrhardt says they've developed a pretty good rivalry. "We're both teams that don't like losing, we both go out there and compete real hard. It makes for fun games to play in, there's a lot of intensity out there."
Ehrhardt says the Blades are always a tough team to battle against. "They're always a good structured team. They always finish checks, they usually don't cut corners. When you have to beat this team, you have to be better than this team (the Blades) and outwork them."
In the Warriors and Blades first meeting of the season back on October 11th, the tribe gave up goals in the first minute and last minute of the first period, and would eventually lost 4-3 in overtime.
Ehrhardt says they'll be looking for a better start this time around. "We were a little to relaxed in that first period and it really cost us in the long run. We have to make sure when we're starting up a period or closing one out we're structural sound and not giving up chances."
Catch the Warriors and Saskatoon Blades on Country 100, DiscoverMooseJaw.com, and mjwarriors.ca. The PreGame Show is on the air at 6:40pm.
Moose Jaw has Saturday off, they're back on the ice Sunday night for their first meeting of the season against Calgary. This marks the first time the teams will meet since pulling off a four player trade in October. The Warriors acquired forwards Justin Kirsch and Kenton Miller, while the Hitmen picked up Collin Bowman and Joey Kornelsen.
Friday Night WHL Schedule;
Saskatoon v Moose Jaw
Calgary v Brandon
Everett v Kootenay
Lethbridge v Prince Albert
Seattle v Red Deer
Kamloops v Prince George
Portland v Kelowna
Vancouver v Victoria
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