Adam Lowry and the Swift Current Broncos kept their streaks alive.
The Moose Jaw Warriors picked up a point for the first time in the new year, but lost 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday at Mosaic Place. Their losing streak is now extended to seven games.
Graham Black scored the only goal in the shootout and Broncos goalie Eetu Laurikainen turned away all three Moose Jaw shooters.
“It’s a small victory considering points and wins have been tough to come by,” said Warriors head coach Mike Stothers. “I thought it was a really good response to a rather disappointing performance against Brandon the other night.”
Stothers said a point still isn’t good enough, but saw some signs of progress towards getting back to where they want to be.
“When you get into situations like this you have to try to find positives to dig yourself out of it. This is a step,” said Stothers. “They were working as hard as they can. They weren’t being cautious, they weren’t playing safe and I think that’s encouraging.”
The Warriors were the better team for the first period. Brayden Point opened the scoring 1:52 into the game, but the Warriors failed to turn their territorial advantage into more goals.
The Broncos extended their winning streak to five games and Lowry extended his point streak to 21 games.
Lowry scored twice in the second period and Dillon Heatherington also scored as the Broncos grabbed a 3-1 lead. The Warriors responded by scoring twice in 45 seconds late in the middle frame to tie the game.
“As a team we’ve been battling with some lapses this year. We’ve been in a lot of close games. Recently we’ve been able to come out on top in those close games, but we have to learn how to play with the lead,” said Lowry, the Broncos’ captain. “We’re an inexperienced team when it comes to winning and as the season progresses we’re going to have to learn how to close out teams. You can’t take a shift off with a few minutes left in a period.”
Jordan Messier and Sam Fioretti struck in the final three minutes of the second period for the Warriors to tie the score.
“We got down and battled back. We stuck with it and we played a good team very well,” said Stothers.
Justin Paulic made 34 saves for the Warriors, while Laurikainen stopped 19 shots for the Broncos.
Torrin White picked up an assist for the Warriors as he returned to the lineup after missing eight games.
Defenceman Dallas Valentine made his WHL debut with the Warriors.
The Warriors are in Saskatoon Friday before facing the Kootenay Ice Saturday at Mosaic Place.
