Nine days after sweeping the Medicine Hat Tigers, the Moose Jaw Warriors have landed in Edmonton for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against former Bronco Jordan Peddle and the Oil Kings.
Moose Jaw has been off since April 11th, and forward Cody Beach says they’ve had a number of intense practices since then to stay sharp and prepare for this series. "The coaching staff came up with a good regiment of practices and a good schedule. It seems that we stayed sharp and hopefully it will carry on tonight."
Beach says when they get on the ice for Game 1 they have to focus on playing "Warriors Hockey" from the opening faceoff. "If we're playing our game that's all that matters, but we have to key in on their top players and give them no time and space and if we do that I think we can be successful."
That "Warriors Hockey" that Beach eluded to include them banging and crashing along the boards and playing a physical game. "Their defensemen are skilled defensemen and don't like to get hit. If we can get that fore-check going that will create physical play for our team, I think that can wear down their defence night by night and throughout the series."
The tribe have had to square off against quality goaltenders throughout the playoffs, in the first round it was Regina's Matt Hewitt and in the second round it was Medicine Hat's Tyler Bunz. Beach says that they have to show the same commitment going to the dirty areas and get in front of the net against Oil Kings goalie Laurent Brossoit.
"You have to go to those areas, he's going to stop the pucks that he can see, you have to get the greasy ones, and they're not going to be nice. In the last series we had a good test with Bunz and I think we have to carry that on."
Moose Jaw went 1-2-1 against the Oil Kings during the regular season, they're only win was December 28th at Mosaic Place. Both games in Edmonton were won by the Oil Kings and were decided by one goal with one of them coming in overtime.
As well, tonight marks the return of Morgan Rielly to the Warriors lineup; he's been out since suffering a knee injury back on November 6th.
Game 2 of this series is Sunday afternoon; the series shifts back to the Friendly City for Game’s 3 and 4 next week.
The Western Conference Final featuers Portland and Tri City. The Americans have home ice advantage.
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Sat, Apr 27, 10:00 AM
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