nivek_wahs
03-12-2008, 09:32 AM
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=d0bb25de-bae5-4b77-afba-c5b027d79185
Warriors fighting only for points
Corey Atkinson, Saskatchewan News Network
Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2008
MOOSE JAW -- The last game between the Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats ended in a near bench-clearing brawl, with fines and suspensions aplenty.
So will any of that bad blood spill once again when the two clubs meet for the final time this season tonight at the Civic Centre?
"I honestly don't know," said Warriors head coach Dave Hunchak. "I think there's a lot at stake (and) emotions will be high. Our priority is to get the two points, but having said that, it's an emotional game. We learned a lot from that weekend series, as far as what we had to get better at, and it's an important game for both teams."
With a win tonight, Regina can clinch their first division title since 1998, and two points will mean Moose Jaw stays alive in the race for first place.
Warriors overage forward Terrance Delaronde, who was suspended for one game for apparent actions in the skirmish at the end of the Feb. 9 encounter, expects Wednesday to be a physical, high energy battle.
"It's not over until it's over," Delaronde said. "It's so close yet. We still have a chance to climb a bit more, so that's what we're going for."
Points are a priority, but the Warriors have the physical toughness to back themselves up. For the first time in a long time, the Warriors have a legitimate one-two heavyweight punch in toughness with Frazer McLaren and Ryley Grantham.
"We've got to continue play our game and we've got to be physical and set the tone," Delaronde said. "We've got to go out there and initiate and not get pushed around."
With that, the Warriors aren't necessarily out to prove anything physically against Regina.
"Our intentions are not to go out and start line brawls," said Hunchak. "We're looking for points. Obviously, discipline is going to be really important. Our power play is exceptional and all those intangibles heading into this final week and next week are a test of our mental toughness."
The entire Warrior roster is healthy going into the final week. And they'll need that to face Regina, who haven't found themselves in first place by accident. Regina has clearly earned the respect of Hunchak.
"Their goaltending is very good, their back end skates as well as anybody within our league and they've got some very good depth up front," Hunchak said, adding the Pats are a veteran-laden team built to take a run this year.
"The majority of their wins is because of their experience," he said. "When they get leads, they choke you out ... We need to get pucks at (goaltender Linden) Rowat, and when we do get our opportunities, make sure we bear down."
Moose Jaw Times-Herald
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008
Warriors fighting only for points
Corey Atkinson, Saskatchewan News Network
Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2008
MOOSE JAW -- The last game between the Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats ended in a near bench-clearing brawl, with fines and suspensions aplenty.
So will any of that bad blood spill once again when the two clubs meet for the final time this season tonight at the Civic Centre?
"I honestly don't know," said Warriors head coach Dave Hunchak. "I think there's a lot at stake (and) emotions will be high. Our priority is to get the two points, but having said that, it's an emotional game. We learned a lot from that weekend series, as far as what we had to get better at, and it's an important game for both teams."
With a win tonight, Regina can clinch their first division title since 1998, and two points will mean Moose Jaw stays alive in the race for first place.
Warriors overage forward Terrance Delaronde, who was suspended for one game for apparent actions in the skirmish at the end of the Feb. 9 encounter, expects Wednesday to be a physical, high energy battle.
"It's not over until it's over," Delaronde said. "It's so close yet. We still have a chance to climb a bit more, so that's what we're going for."
Points are a priority, but the Warriors have the physical toughness to back themselves up. For the first time in a long time, the Warriors have a legitimate one-two heavyweight punch in toughness with Frazer McLaren and Ryley Grantham.
"We've got to continue play our game and we've got to be physical and set the tone," Delaronde said. "We've got to go out there and initiate and not get pushed around."
With that, the Warriors aren't necessarily out to prove anything physically against Regina.
"Our intentions are not to go out and start line brawls," said Hunchak. "We're looking for points. Obviously, discipline is going to be really important. Our power play is exceptional and all those intangibles heading into this final week and next week are a test of our mental toughness."
The entire Warrior roster is healthy going into the final week. And they'll need that to face Regina, who haven't found themselves in first place by accident. Regina has clearly earned the respect of Hunchak.
"Their goaltending is very good, their back end skates as well as anybody within our league and they've got some very good depth up front," Hunchak said, adding the Pats are a veteran-laden team built to take a run this year.
"The majority of their wins is because of their experience," he said. "When they get leads, they choke you out ... We need to get pucks at (goaltender Linden) Rowat, and when we do get our opportunities, make sure we bear down."
Moose Jaw Times-Herald
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008