It was one of the closest series in memory.
Fans of the Moose Jaw Warriors were ecstatic over the team’s victory against the Saskatoon Blades in Game 7 of the WHL Eastern Conference Final on Tuesday night.
It was a packed house at Moose Jaw’s Crushed Can bar, and the atmosphere was lively and tense during the game. The venue was filled with fans who had their eyes glued to the different TVs positioned around the bar.
When Lynden Lakovic scored the winning goal in overtime, the building erupted in cheers.
“It was crazy. That’s one of the best series of hockey I’ve ever seen,” Warriors fan Randy Logan said after the game.
He said he feels good about the Warriors’ chances going forward.
“This is awesome. These guys are going to the memorial cup,” Logan said.
Emma L’Heureux said it was the best way the series could have turned out.
“That was amazing. It was a nail-biter,” she said.
“I was worried it was going to get overtime again, and it did. As soon as you don’t expect it, they finally got the goal and everyone just went wild in here. It was awesome. The energy was great.”
Her mother, Jacki L’Heureux-Mason agreed, saying she was glad to show up and support the team.
“I love to see Moose Jaw get so electric and just come together over something so cool,” she said.
L’Heureux-Mason is also in charge of Tourism Moose Jaw, and said she appreciates what the series has brought both in terms of rallying the community together and generating economic activity.
“I’ve watched the Warriors for 25 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s been awesome,” L’Heureux-Mason said.
David Colenutt said he was feeling fantastic after the game. He’s been a Warriors fan since the team first came to Moose Jaw.
“Six games out of seven went to overtime. You couldn’t ask for a better series,” he said.
Jordyn Kukura felt nervous heading into the game, but wasn’t about to complain about the results.
“The boys worked hard and they ended up doing really well,” Kukura said.
Kukura’s mother Michelle felt the same way.
“The game was amazing,” she said. “It was so exciting right ’til the end. “I can’t believe they went into overtime again.”
The Warriors have made it to the WHL final for the first time since 2006, and fans couldn’t be happier.
“It was a hard-fought battle, well-earned,” said Dawson Colenutt.
“Both teams had a right to win it, but I’m happy we came out on top. Couldn’t ask for a better result. Good game by the boys.”
Blades fans say loss came down to bad luck
The disappointment for Blades fans was even more pronounced because the loss happened on home ice.
More than 13,000 fans, largely on the Blades side, watched from the stands at SaskTel Center as yet another game in the series went to overtime, only to watch their team come up short.
But while the team is yet to win a title, there is a lot for fans to be hopeful about.
“The boys were buzzing out there. They were scoring some beauties,” one fan cheered as he left the arena. “I had high hopes. “They absolutely won it on the offense, and it was just an easy goal for Moose Jaw.”
Another fan called it bad luck, saying the team will bounce back from the loss.
“The Blades are a good team, they had a great season. “They’ll be back.”
And while the locker clean-out will happen Wednesday afternoon, there is always next year.
–with files from Mia Holowaychuk and Sarah Mills
