The Moose Jaw Warriors are heading back to the post-season for the fourth straight season after skating to a 3-1 win over the Pats in Regina on Friday night.

Justin Almeida had a goal and two points in the win, while Brodan Salmond made 19 saves in goal for Moose Jaw.

The Warriors' win locks up third place in the East Division and sets up a first-round series with the Saskatoon Blades. The two sides will meet on Sunday for a playoff preview in the Bridge City.

Moose Jaw came out of the gates flying on Friday and registered some quality scoring chances early in the first, however, it was the Pats that opened the scoring when Ty Kolle's shot found its way through traffic and past Salmond.

The Warriors were able to respond near the midway point of the first when Almeida finished off a great cross-ice pass from Jett Woo for his 28th goal of the season.

Only 43 seconds later, Regina product Carson Denomie burned his hometown team for his sixth goal of the season to put the Warriors in front 2-1 after one.

In the second period, the Warriors had their moments of pressure but the majority of the frame wasn't played with the speed that the first period had and Moose Jaw held its lead into the third.

The game remained tight in the third period as the teams combined for just 11 shots on net.

Brayden Tracey finished the Pats off with an empty-net goal inside the final minute of regulation.

Moose Jaw was 1-for-4 on the power-play, all in the first period, and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

These two long-time rivals will finish their regular season series on Saturday at Mosaic Place. You can catch all the action on Country 100 starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:40 p.m.

As for the playoffs, he Warriors will open their series in Saskatoon with Games 1 and 2 on Mar. 22 and 23. The series then shifts to Moose Jaw for Games 3 and 4 on Mar. 26 and 27.