Moose Jaw jumps out to 1-0 lead in WHL final

The Moose Jaw Warriors continued to perform in crunch time, with Matt Savoie’s third-period marker proving to be the difference in Game 1 of the WHL Final.

Savoie scored with just 3:02 left in the third period to give the Warriors a 3-2 decision over the Winterhawks in Portland on Friday night.

Moose Jaw, who is in its first WHL final appearance since the 2005-06 season, struck first with Atley Calvert scoring just 1:17 into the second period.

Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk added to that lead just minutes later.

But Portland battled back with goals from Diego Buttazzoni in the second and then a third-period goal from Gabe Klassen.

But Savoie, who appeared in the WHL Final last season as a member of the Winnipeg Ice, proved to be the difference maker with his goal the game-winner.

Moose Jaw’s Jackson Unger made 31 saves in the win, besting Portland goaltender Jan Spunar who stopped 34 of the 37 shots he faced.

The Warriors have never won the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Game 2 is Saturday night in Portland. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. Sask. time.