Warriors down Ice to take 2-1 series lead

The Moose Jaw Warriors doubled up on the Winnipeg Ice 8-4 on Tuesday to take a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven WHL Eastern Conference semifinal.

Winnipeg won the series opener 5-3 at home on Friday, but the Warriors responded with a 5-3 win in Winnipeg on Saturday. They took the series lead Tuesday in front of 3,324 fans at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

The Warriors host the Ice in Game 4 on Wednesday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

Winnipeg finished the regular season with a league-best 57-10-1 record and 115 points, 30 more than the Warriors (41-24-3).

“We definitely used the crowd to our advantage, the momentum in here was unreal and the crowd was really electric tonight,” Warriors forward Lynden Lakovic said after Tuesday’s game.

The Warriors fell behind 2-0 early, but took a 3-2 lead in the first period, led 5-3 after the second and then sealed the win with three goals in the final frame.

Warriors assistant coach Gord Burnett said it was a gutsy performance from the team.

“The guys did a good job, getting down a little early and finding our way back. Our power play was big for us and it took everyone out there and I thought we did a pretty good job,” he said.

Lakovic scored twice, including the eventual game-winner for the Warriors. The 16-year-old forward has three goals in seven games in the playoffs after scoring just twice in 37 games during the regular season.

Burnett said Lakovic is showing how dangerous he can be offensively.

“His puck skills are apparent for everybody that can see, the growth from the season and just being in the right spots at the right time,” Burnett said.

Lakovic said he’s just taking it game by game.

“I don’t have a lot of goals right now, just every shift (I’m working at) being the best player I can and hopefully it will work out. It seems to be right now,” he said.

“(The WHL playoffs) are definitely surreal. The crowd is in our favour right now. The speed and the physicality are up from the regular season and I feel like with all that time off, I really improved myself and it’s going to show.”

Jagger Firkus finished with two goals and four points in the win, while Ryder Korczak picked up the opening goal for Moose Jaw and finished with three points on the night.

Brayden Yager also picked up three assists for the Warriors.

The Ice struck for two goals in 11 seconds just seven minutes into the game, but the Warriors pushed back with power-play goals from Korczak and Firkus to tie the game.

With just over five minutes left in the first, Lakovic broke in and wired home his second of the playoffs to give the Warriors the lead.

Winnipeg responded before the period was out with a goal from Vladislav Shilo, tying the game at 3-3 after one.

The Warriors took control of the game in the second period when Eric Alarie scored his first of the playoffs in his first game back from injury. Only 52 seconds later, Lakovic potted his second of the night to make it 5-3 for Moose Jaw after two.

The Warriors pulled away in the third with goals from Cosmo Wilson and Martin Rysavy in the first 10 minutes of the period and then Firkus’ second of the night sealed the win.

“We played outstanding tonight, but we’re going to reset and play the same tomorrow,” Lakovic said.

— With files from Discover Moose Jaw