MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- It’ll probably go down as one of, if not the, greatest playoff series in Western Hockey League history.
Seven games, six of them going to overtime, each team winning three times in extra time.
But in the end, the Moose Jaw Warriors found a way to win the one that mattered the most -- and because of their 3-2 overtime win over the Blades in Game 7 on Tuesday night in Saskatoon, they’re off to the Western Hockey League Final for the second time in team history.
“When you play seven games and six of them go to overtime, it could go either way,” said Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary. “It was two really good teams who were in a punchfest… I was kind of hoping there wouldn’t be overtime, I was kind of getting sick of the extra time, but I’m glad we ended it early.”
The Warriors had Saskatoon chasing all night and had the lead late, but a goal by Vaughn Watterodt with just over three minutes remaining tied the game up. Given how the rest of the series had gone, that was just a sign for the visitors to get back to work, and it all paid off seconds into the extra frame.
“It’s just another example of our group being able to punch back,” O’Leary said. “Saskatoon pushed hard, they were good all night and seeing that goal with three minutes to go was deflating, but we dug in and punched back… it’s what we train for, working through disappointment, and it’s a habit. You just pop up quick and get back to work.”
Lynden Lakovic was the overtime hero for the second straight game and third time in the playoffs when he banked the puck in off Blades defender Tyler Parr’s skate 36 seconds into overtime, with the goal coming after Lakovic had just missed on a breakaway late in the third.
“It works out pretty well,” O’Leary said. “He felt terrible about the opportunity he had late in the third period to go up 3-1, then when he had another chance it was just get it to the net and it was just such a good goal.”
The majority of the game played to a trend that was seen throughout the series. Saskatoon largely dominated zone time, but the Warriors continued to put their bend-but-don’t-break style to good use as they limited quality scoring chances.
“We did a fairly good job of collapsing in front of Jackson and making it hard to get pucks inside,” O’Leary said. “In terms of shots from home plate, it was still more than we would have liked, but for the shot volume they had I thought we did a good job of keeping them outside. Then when they were inside, I thought that was Jackson’s best game of the series.”
Now, all eyes turn toward the second WHL Final in team history and an exceptionally dangerous Portland Winterhawks team. The two crews met when the Warriors were in the midst of their sweep through the U.S. Division in February, with Moose Jaw taking a 4-3 win on Feb. 28.
“They’re fast and they’re skilled, they were one of the best hockey teams we played this season when we were in Portland,” O’Leary said. “They’re similar to us, they can make plays and have a lot of high-end skill and a goaltender who can steal games, too. It’s a heck of a match-up and I can’t wait to get at it in Portland.”
One thing that’s for certain is the fan support will undoubtedly be off the charts in Moose Jaw. Hundreds of Warriors supporters lined Main Street to send the team off for Game 7, and dozens were expected to meet the team at the Moose Jaw Events Centre for their return early Wednesday morning.
That support has been a well-documented driving force for the team throughout their playoff run, and O’Leary doesn’t expect that to change soon.
“To see the support that we’re getting from the city of Moose Jaw is unbelievable,” O’Leary said. “I know 2006 was a long time ago now, and the people of Moose Jaw deserve this. To see the way they sent us off to Game 7 with the support, whether we lost in overtime or won a big one, they were there and they’re relentless in terms of their support.
“Now going to the Finals, I can’t wait to see the atmosphere in the Hanger next Tuesday.”
Games 1 and 2 of the series are in Portland on Friday and Saturday, with Games 3 and 4 in Moose Jaw on Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and a quick sell-out is expected, so be sure to keep an eye on social media and for when they become available.
