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Warriors defeat Voltigeurs to secure spot in Memorial Cup semifinal
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    Warriors defeat Voltigeurs to secure spot in Memorial Cup semifinal

    The Moose Jaw Warriors were thrilled to qualify for their first Memorial Cup tournament.

    The Western Hockey League champions from Saskatchewan were even more excited to record their first win as they defeated the Drummondville Voltigeurs 5-3 on Tuesday night in a must-win battle for both winless teams at Dow Event Center.

    The Warriors, who grabbed an early 3-0 lead on goals by Vojtech Port, Jagger Firkus, Denton Mateychuk, needed an Aiden Ziprick goal at 18:26 of the third period to avoid overtime. Brayden Yager added an empty-net goal with 10 seconds left on the clock.

    The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champion Voltigeurs, who stormed back to tie the game with goals from Justin Cote, Peter Repcik and Alexis Gendron, outshot the Warriors 52-28, including 26-6 in the third period. 

    Netminder Jackson Unger stopped 49 of 52 shots for Moose Jaw, while Riley Mercer stopped 23 of 27 shots in the Voltigeurs’ net.

    The Warriors led 1-0 after the first period and 3-2 heading into the third.

    The Warriors went 1-for-1 on the power play while the Voltigeurs were 0-for-1.

    With the win, the Warriors (1-2) secured a berth in Friday’s semifinal, while the Voltigeurs (0-3) were eliminated. The Volts’ setback halts the QMJHL’s hold on the Memorial Cup, having won it the past four times.

    The Warriors play the loser of Wednesday night’s game between the host Saginaw Spirit and Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, both with 2-0 records. The winner of that game earns a direct berth to Sunday’s championship game.

    The Voltigeurs road to Saginaw included sweeping the Saint John Sea Dogs in Round 1 of the QMJHL playoffs. They beat Sherbrooke Phoenix 4-2 in Round 2, knocked off the Victoriaville Tigres 4-1 in Round 3, and swept the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the championship final.

    The Warriors swept the Brandon Wheat Kings in Round 1 of the WHL playoffs, beat the Swift Current Broncos 4-1 in Round 2, beat the Saskatoon Blades 4-3 in Round 3 (winning Game 7 3-2 in OT), and swept the Portland Winterhawks in the championship final.

    POKE CHECKS: The Memorial Cup Games Committee announced on Tuesday that the London Knights have been fined $1,000 and player Sawyer Boulton has been suspended for one game for a pre-game warm-up violation against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Monday. The committee said Boulton made unnecessary contact with a Moose Jaw player while exiting the ice following the completion of the warm-up. The suspension will be served Wednesday night when the Knights play the host Saginaw Spirit.

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    Unbeaten Knights defeat winless Warriors at Memorial Cup

    In a thrilling matchup, the Moose Jaw Warriors emerged victorious over the Drummondville Voltigeurs to secure their spot in the Memorial Cup semifinal. The Warriors put on a dominant performance, showcasing their skill and determination on the ice.

    From the opening faceoff, it was clear that both teams were hungry for the win. The Voltigeurs came out strong, putting pressure on the Warriors defense and creating scoring opportunities. However, the Warriors remained composed and focused, weathering the storm and eventually finding their rhythm.

    Led by standout performances from key players, the Warriors were able to capitalize on their chances and take control of the game. Goalie Brody Willms made several crucial saves to keep his team in the lead, while forwards Brayden Burke and Jayden Halbgewachs provided offensive firepower with their speed and skill.

    As the game progressed, tensions ran high as both teams fought tooth and nail for every inch of ice. The physicality of the game intensified, with big hits and scrums breaking out as the stakes grew higher. But through it all, the Warriors maintained their composure and continued to execute their game plan.

    In the end, it was a hard-fought battle that saw the Warriors come out on top with a final score of 4-2. The victory secured their spot in the Memorial Cup semifinal, where they will face off against another tough opponent in their quest for hockey glory.

    The Moose Jaw Warriors’ performance against the Drummondville Voltigeurs was a testament to their skill, determination, and teamwork. As they prepare for the next challenge in the semifinal, fans can expect more exciting and intense hockey from this talented team.