A wild swing of momentum was keyed by a goaltender change as the Moose Jaw Warriors rallied for a 6-3 Saturday victory over the visiting Saskatoon Blades.
After scoring the final four goals of Friday’s 6-3 triumph at SaskTel Centre, the Bridge City Bunch made it seven straight tallies by jumping out to a 3-0 lead with just under six minutes to play in the first period Saturday. Exit 18-year-old veteran Jackson Unger and enter 17-year-old rookie Dmitri Fortin in goal for Moose Jaw. Fortin stopped all 24 shots he faced while his team-mates rattled off six consecutive goals for their 42nd win of the season, ending the Blue and Gold’s winning streak at five games. While Fortin staved off the Blades’ attack, W-H-L points leader Jagger Firkus scored three goals and added an assist to reach the 300-point milestone in his career. Easton Armstrong (pictured) scored twice for Saskatoon with Fraser Minten adding the other goal while opening the game’s story. The Bridge City Bunch held a 36-29 advantage in shots on goal, the 35th consecutive game the Blue and Gold have led on the shot clock. The Blades are off until Wednesday when they host Calgary at 7 o’clock at SaskTel Centre. Following are the audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast, Post-Game Show comments from head coach Brennan Sonne and the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..
Saskatoon Blades 3 at Moose Jaw Warriors 6 – Status: Final
Saturday, March 16, 2024 – Moose Jaw Events Centre – Moose Jaw, SK
Saskatoon 3 0 0 – 3
Moose Jaw 0 4 2 – 6
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Minten 21 (Suzdalev, Sidorov), 4:41. 2, Saskatoon, Armstrong 31 (Lisowsky, Molendyk), 10:37 (PP). 3, Saskatoon, Armstrong 32 (Lisowsky), 14:01. Penalties-Sidorov Sas (delay of game), 8:36; Calvert Mj (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 9:57.
2nd Period-4, Moose Jaw, Yager 33 (Savoie, Firkus), 3:21 (PP). 5, Moose Jaw, Firkus 52 (Rysavy), 10:56. 6, Moose Jaw, Savoie 29 (Parker), 18:46. 7, Moose Jaw, Schuurman 20 (Mateychuk), 19:11. Penalties-Brenton Mj (tripping), 1:06; Lisowsky Sas (hooking), 3:12.
3rd Period-8, Moose Jaw, Firkus 53 (Yager, Calvert), 8:20 (PP). 9, Moose Jaw, Firkus 54 18:17 (EN). Penalties-Brenton Mj (interference), 3:25; Lisowsky Sas (high sticking), 6:46; Sidorov Sas (roughing), 11:58; Lisowsky Sas (hooking), 16:00; Watterodt Sas (major-fighting), 18:24; Kovacevic Mj (major-fighting), 18:24.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 14-11-11-36. Moose Jaw 11-10-8-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 1 / 3; Moose Jaw 2 / 5.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Elliott 28-8-2-1 (27 shots-22 saves); Gardner 19-5-0-2 (1 shots-1 saves). Moose Jaw, Unger 34-15-0-2 (12 shots-9 saves); Fortin 5-3-0-1 (24 shots-24 saves).
A-4,274
Referees-Bob Millette (61), Josh Grimm (76).
Linesmen-Sean Dufour (50), Troy Semenchuk (65).
