Caleb Potter returns from injury and comes in clutch, scoring two goals on Friday night including the game-winner to secure the 4-3 overtime win for the Moose Jaw WINMAR AAA Warriors over Swift Current.

That was Potter’s second goal of the game, as he scored early in the second period to tie the game at 2-2.

He was nursing a broken collarbone, which sidelined him for 12 weeks.

“It felt great to be back on the ice after 12 weeks,” says Potter following Friday’s win. “It felt a little rough but after a couple of shifts I felt I got better as the game went on and got back into it.”

Ryan Bain had another solid start, as he made 40 saves for his 11th win of the season. The game didn’t start the way he would’ve up hoped after giving up two goals in the first five minutes but then dialed himself in for the rest of the game.

“It’s like water off a ducks back, if you get scored on once or twice you just have to keep moving onto the next shot,” explains Bain. “You also have to realize you’re playing for the guys in front of you, so I played for them and kept them in the game.”

The win is Moose Jaw’s 17th of the season giving them a 17-16-0-4 record and extending their lead over Prince Albert to five points for 7th place. They also move within five points of Warman for sixth place in the league standings.

Moose Jaw didn’t get off to a fast start and Swift Current capitalized. An early penalty 44 seconds into the game gave the Legionnaires the advantage. Parker Rondeau would deflect the puck past Bain for the 1-0 lead a minute into the game.

The Warriors would answer right back 46 seconds later. Austin Woodley would get a shot on Legionnaires starter Jacob Morris and then Wyatt LaCoste would follow up on the rebound and tie the game 1-1 for his fifth of the year. Rhett Perrin picked up the lone assist.

The see-saw battle continued just over three minutes later. A neutral zone turnover by Moose Jaw would allow Cobe Perlinger on a partial breakaway and he rifled it upstairs over the blocker of Bain to take the lead 2-1.

For the rest of the period, both teams settled in, and the score remained 2-1 Swift Current after 20 minutes.

After one period it was the Legionnaires leading in shots 15-9.

Caleb Potter’s big game started early in the second period. Off an offensive zone faceoff, Potter would put one on the net and it snuck under the arm of Morris and found twine for his first goal since Oct. 23, 2022. Liam Fitzpatrick would grab the lone assist extending his point streak to 12 games.

As they did in the first period, Swift Current would respond to retake the lead. On their third powerplay of the game, Rylan Williams would get the puck at the left point and would pick a corner over Bain to take the 3-2 lead.

With just over five minutes left in the period, Moose Jaw would tie the game for the third time. A shot from the blue line from Ryder Knutson would be redirected by Connor Miller and sneak over the line to make it 3-3.

That’s how the second period, all knotted at 3-3, with Swift Current still leading in shots 35-18.

Though there was no scoring in the third period there were lots of chances by either side and three powerplays for the Swift Current that they couldn’t cash in on. After 60 minutes of hockey, overtime was needed.

In the overtime frame, Potter would pick up his second of the night. On a two-on-one Liam Fitzpatrick would go cross-ice for Potter and he would tap it in for his second of the game and fourth of the season to seal the 4-3 overtime win. The overtime winner was also the first time Moose Jaw ever led in the hockey game.

Jake Briltz would grab the secondary assist on the game-winner.

The final shot total was 43-35 for Swift Current but Moose Jaw came out with the 4-3 overtime win.

The Warriors went 0-for-7 on the powerplay, while their penalty kill was 5-for-7.

The win also clinched the 3-1 season series win for Moose Jaw against Swift Current.

Moose Jaw’s next opponent will be on Sunday afternoon, as the Saskatoon Contacts come to the Moose Jaw Events Centre for the final time this season. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. and the puck drop is slated for 1:30 p.m.