The Westlock Warriors suffered a “minor setback” in their semifinal series in the North Central Hockey League last Sunday night with a 9-2 loss against the Devon Barons.
The local boys came into Sunday’s match with a full head of steam after a 5-1 victory in Devon the night before, but weren’t able to extend their lead in the best-of-five series.
“This is a wake-up call for us,” coach Joe Kuhar said. “They just woke up the Warriors and the Warriors are coming out to play from here on in.”
More than 300 people were in the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre to cheer the Warriors on, but an early goal from the Barons turned into a 4-0 deficit after the first period.
“They came out strong and we sort of expected it, since we showed them up in their barn last night,” Kuhar said.
The second period saw the Warriors come out strong with an early goal from Dave Carr, but the Barons got it back a minute later. Carr got another one near the end of the second, but by then the Barons had a 7-2 lead.
A total of seven game misconducts were issued in the second period, three to the Warriors and four to the Barons after fights and a flagrant cross-check to the head, which gives a good idea of how physical the game became.
“We had to show them that if you play like that, we can play like that too,” Kuhar said. “You’re not going to walk all over us.”
Saturday’s game was more the kind of hockey the Warriors want to play; after a scoreless first period, the Warriors potted two in the second.
The Barons looked like they might mount a comeback early in the third with a power-play goal, but the Warriors shut that down with another goal minutes later. The Barons couldn’t get back in it, giving up two more before the game was done.
With the series tied 1-1, the Warriors are looking to regain the upper hand in Devon this Friday, Feb. 21. The Warriors return home Saturday night for Game 4.
“It’s best of three now,” he said. “We have a chance to go win the game in their barn, and come back here to wrap up the series.”
