Moose Jaw Warriors come home with 2-0 series lead in WHL Championship Series

The Moose Jaw Warriors are coming home with a commanding two to zero series lead against the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Championship Series.

Warriors made history on Friday by winning its first ever WHL Championship Series game

Will McLernon · CBC News · Posted: May 12, 2024 7:13 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 12

The Moose Jaw Warriors are coming home with a 2-0 lead over the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League Championship Series. (Moose Jaw Warriors)

The Moose Jaw Warriors are coming home with a commanding 2-0 series lead against the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Championship Series.

The Warriors made history on Friday when the squad narrowly beat the Winterhawks 3-2. It was the first game the franchise had ever won in a WHL Championship Series.

The only other time Moose Jaw made the finals in its 40-year history was during the 2005-2006 season, but the Warriors got swept by the Vancouver Giants.

Moose Jaw followed up their historic win by crushing Portland 5-1 on Saturday in Game 2.

Warriors forward Jagger Firkus, who had two goals and one assist in Game 2, said it's nice to come back to Moose Jaw with a series lead.

"It's exciting, we're up 2-0, but we still [need] to finish the job," Firkus said.

"We talked all day about what we were going to expect from Portland... and I just thought we came ready to go.”<br><br>🎥 Hear from Head Coach Mark O'Leary, Brayden Yager and Jagger Firkus after Saturday's Game 2 win<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHLChampionship?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WHLChampionship</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeedingTheFuture?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FeedingTheFuture</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ufzmoosejaw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ufzmoosejaw</a> <a href="https://t.co/IgpGNALvmY">pic.twitter.com/IgpGNALvmY</a>
—@MJWARRIORS

Despite the games being in the United States, there were still fans with Saskatchewan roots at Game 1 — and two who made sure their presence was felt.

Cindy Burns, who is originally from James Smith Cree Nation and currently lives in Portland, brought her daughter to Game 2 of the series. They cheered hard for the Warriors's five goals and waved a Saskatchewan flag to show support for the team.

"It was really awesome, it was an incredible win and we were loud and proud," Burns said. "Seeing [Pavel] Mckenzie, who is from a neighbouring reserve to mine, score a goal was awesome."

Girl with a Saskatchewan flag — Cindy Burns brought her daughter to Game 2 of the WHL Championship Series in Portland. They brought a Saskatchewan flag and cheered for the Warriors. (Submitted by Cindy Burns)

Excitement for home games

Games three, four and if necessary five are all being played at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

Warriors forward Brayden Yager is looking forward to trying to win the WHL championship at home. He said Moose Jaw's enthusiastic fans do a good job of giving the team a boost.

"Coming back home from Saskatoon after a big win, they were pretty electric at our barn, even late at night," Yager, who scored a goal in Game 2, said. "They're the best fans in the league and so far in the playoffs they've been absolutely rocking the building."

Absolutely ELECTRIC ⚡<a href="https://twitter.com/MJWARRIORS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MJWARRIORS</a> fans welcomed the team back home this afternoon! Who’s ready for Game 3?!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHLChampionship?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WHLChampionship</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeedingTheFuture?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FeedingTheFuture</a> <a href="https://t.co/hAUABw3hmo">pic.twitter.com/hAUABw3hmo</a>
—@TheWHL

Randy Nesvold has been a die-hard Warriors fan since Moose Jaw joined the WHL in 1984. He is now the president of the Moose Jaw Warriors Booster Club.

Nesvold said the Warriors winning a WHL Championship would be huge for the city.

"Moose Jaw being community-owned … you could say we're a bit of a dying breed. Our team is here primarily because people 40 years ago thought that they should buy a share for a dollar," Nesvold said.

"For us to fill the rink, it's 13.5 per cent of our population, whereas for a game in Portland, it's like 1.25 per cent of their population,so it's a big deal here to have a sellout, it's a big deal to have the support."

Nesvold added that it's been special watching the Warriors this season.

"It's easy enough to spot talent, it's harder to know if that talent can click and be a team," Nesvold said. "This is a true team and we are so proud of you guys, regardless of the outcome."

Puck drop for game three is at 8 p.m. CST on Tuesday, while Game 4 is on Wednesday at the same time.