BY Jonathan Huntington
REGINA – In a strange twist, Hudson Sayers overtime winner for the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors on Thursday night in Regina might not have been the most important goal of the game.
The Warriors defeated the Regina Pat Canadians 3-2 in OT in the fourth and final meeting between the two heavyweight contenders – giving Moose Jaw sole possession of first place with 72 points, just one point ahead of Regina.
However, Ethan Young’s tally for the Pat Cs with 2.8 seconds left in regulation sent the game to OT – and ensured Regina will win the season series between the two clubs.
The Pat Cs and Warriors have been neck-and-neck at the top of the standings for months – so it’s entirely possible they could be tied in points when the regular season ends on Feb. 22. If that happens, Regina would be awarded first place based on two wins and an overtime loss in four head-to-head matches this year.
“Obviously, it’s good to get the win, but it’s unfortunate we gave up that goal late (in the game),” said Moose Jaw head coach Trevor Weisgerber outside the visitor’s dressing room underneath the stands at Co-operators Centre. “In a way, it’s unfortunate because we had to win in regulation (to win the season series).”
Moose Jaw played a physical game and held a 2-1 lead from midway through the second period until just seconds before the final buzzer.
While the Warriors hold first-place by a point, they don’t control their own destiny in the critical battle for home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. That Pat Cs have a game in-hand – meaning if they win their remaining four games, first place is their prize. Regina plays in Warman on Saturday night, before finishing at home against Yorkton and Prince Albert (twice).
Moose Jaw has three games remaining with all of them on the road (Saskatoon Blazers and Warman, twice).
FINISH LINES: The Pat Cs were without star Maddox Schultz, as he continues to play with the WHL’s Regina Pats… Nathan Gardiner opened the scoring before Moose Jaw scored twice (Tyler Hudec and Maxx Fuessel) in six minutes in the middle frame to take a 2-1 lead… The Warriors are in the middle of a stretch of seven straight games on the road to end the regular season.
