The Moose Jaw Warriors had a strong first period but were not able to ride that momentum and fell 7-3 to the Red Deer Rebels Friday at Mosaic Place.

In the opening period, the teams established a fast pace as they raced up the ice looking to go on the attack.  At the end of the period, the pace slowed down as teams tried to pick up their physical game.

3:49 into the game, Warriors defenceman Cayde Augustine dangled his way through the neutral zone and came across the Red Deer line.

As he worked his way towards the Rebels net through the middle of the ice, Augustine dished the puck over to Kobe Mohr on the right-wing where he one-timed the puck to the back of the net, his first goal as a Warriors gave them a 1-0 lead.

Red Deer tied the game at one at 7:48 when they created a neutral zone turnover while on the penalty kill, Josh Tarzwell burst across the Warriors line and finished with an equalizer.

Moose Jaw took a 2-1 lead just before the midway point when Brayden Tracey led a rush across the Red Deer line and then dished it to high-slot for Owen Hardy who ripped a shot to the back of the net.

Once again, the Rebels responded when a Warrior turnover inside their zone led to a goal for Keaton Sorensen.

Like Wednesday’s game, the Rebels made good first-period adjustments and were able to limit Moose Jaw to just four shots in the frame.

Red Deer took their first lead of the game at 10:33 when Dallon Melin deflected a point shot.

Moose Jaw responded at 18:13 when they went to work on the power-play.

Brayden Tracey had the puck on top of the left circle and then set up Cayde Augustine inside the right circle where he put a one-timer over the goal line for his first of the season and first as a Warrior.

Shortly after tying the game the Warriors took a penalty and it allowed the Rebels to respond 30 seconds later when Arshdeep Bains scored on the power-play to put Red Deer back out in front.

In the final 20 minutes the Warriors were not able to generate many two opportunities inside the Red Deer zone, while the Rebels added three more goals, including an empty-net goal, and handed the Warriors their eighth straight loss.

Cayde Augustine led the Warriors with a goal and two points and Brayden Tracey picked up two assists.  Red Deer’s Arshdeep Bains had two goals and three points.

The Warriors weekend continues Saturday at Mosaic Place against the East Division-leading Prince Albert Raiders.  Tickets are available at the Mosaic Place Box Office or online at www.mjwarriors.ca.

A reminder to fans that Saturday’s game against the Raiders is the Warriors annual Teddy Bear and Toque Toss in support of the Moose Jaw Salvation Army.

Fans are encouraged to bring plush toys or toque, mittens, scarfs, or other winter apparel, to the rink (packaged in bags), and when the Warriors score their first goal of the game, the items can be tossed on the ice where the Warriors and volunteers will collect them and donate them to the Moose Jaw Salvation Army.