Holzapfel return sparks Tribe victory

Riley Holzapfel couldn't contain his smile - not before the game, nor after.
The Chilliwack Bruins had trouble containing Holzapfel as well as the Moose Jaw Warriors' captain made an impressive return to the line-up.
Holzapfel had a goal and an assist while logging some important minutes as the Warriors beat the Bruins 4-2.
"Going into the game I was a little more excited to be back on the ice with the guys," said Holzapfel. "When we got out there a lot of things started happening for us and we worked for our breaks and we capitalized on them tonight."
Holzapfel set up Jason Bast for a short-handed goal to open the scoring on front of 2,715 fans in the Civic Centre. Bast added a power-play insurance marker to go with Joel Broda's third period game-winner.
Oscar Moller's second period goal tied the game 1-1 for the Bruins.
Despite being questionable as late as the pre-game skate with his abdominal injury, Holzapfel took a regular shift and saw lots of ice on special teams.
"I felt pretty good. It did bother me a few times with certain movements I did do," said Holzapfel. "The doctor told me it's not going to get any better and it's not going to get any worse playing, so I just have to battle through the pain."
After going goal-less in five straight games, Bast now has three in his last two games.
"We've got really great chemistry going on our line and it's a long time since we've been together," said Bast. "But now we're back and things are going good."
The win is the Warriors' second straight win as they prepare for a stiff weekend test with home games against Calgary and Lethbridge before traveling to Swift Current.
"If we could have seen more five-on-five play I honestly don't think it would have been as interesting as it was," said Warriors head coach Dave Hunchak. "I truly believe that when we play five-on-five hockey we own that hockey."
The trouble was that the Warriors weren't five-on-five very often in the third period. The Warriors took five straight minor penalties and the Bruins enjoyed three brief five-on-three power-plays. Bruin captain Nick Holden scored on one to cut the Warriors lead to 5-3.
"We certainly had a chance to win," said Bruins head coach Jim Hiller. "I thought (Joey) Perricone made some big saves. He's a veteran goalie and tonight he showed his worth."
The Bruins finished 2-for-10 on the power-play and the Warriors were 2-for-7.
Heading into what he called "probably the toughest weekend we have all year" Hunchak knows they need their discipline to be better.
"I was really happy with guys like Giffen Nyren and Ryley Grantham who didn't see a lot of ice, but were into the game and helping their teammates out," said Hunchak. "That's what it's about. They were there for their teammates even though they didn't see a lot of ice."

Matthew Gourlie can be reached at 691-1261