Warriors captain Sam Fioretti is second on the team in scoring with 36 points in 42 games.

There’s one thing you always know that you’re going to be getting when going against a Brent Sutter coached team, and that’s hard work.

The Moose Jaw Warriors know that they’re going to have to match that work ethic on Friday night if they want to be success against the Red Deer Rebels at Mosaic Place.

The tribe has fared well against the Rebels so far this season, winning two of three meetings, including last Sunday’s 4-3 win in Red Deer.  They’re going to be looking to keep that trend going when they hit the ice for their lone game this week.

“It was a big win by the boys in Red Deer, it’s always good to have success against teams that you’re trying to catch (in the standings),” said captain Sam Fioretti.

The Warriors go into the game sitting in tenth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Rebels are in ninth, but ten points up on Moose Jaw.  That means every point counts, especially on home ice where the tribe hasn’t had as much success this season.

“We haven’t been playing as well at home as we maybe wanted to, but it’s going to be important on Friday to give them a good game,” said Fioretti.  “We want to keep making steps towards a playoff push, so it’s going to be a big game on Friday.”

A key to beating the Rebels is shutting down Conner Bleackley, who leads the team in scoring with 50 points — 13 more than the next closest on their roster.  He’s the straw that stirs the drink, per say, for Red Deer and if you can get to him, you can slow down their attack.

“He’s a good player, but you’ve just got to be physical on him,” said Fioretti.  “We’ve got to be hard to play against, he’s going to get his opportunities and we’ve just got to limit them.”

The Warriors will have newly acquired defenceman Spenser Jensen in the lineup when they take on the Rebels.  He’s very familiar with going against the Rebels from his time with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

“Red Deer is always a team that comes hard, it seems like every game they’re always ready to go, so it will be a good one and I’m looking forward to it,” said Jensen.

The Rebels like to build up speed through the neutral zone and Jensen said being able to slow them down is the key to limiting their chances.

“As a defenceman it’s important to have a good gap on those guys,” said Jensen.  “You’ve got to make sure up right in the offensive zone on them, so they don’t have all that space to wind up their speed because they have some guys that can really get going.”

Friday’s game will the 18-year-old blue liner’s Warriors debut and he’s looking forward to getting on the ice in front of his new home fans.

“There will be a little bit of nerves and a little bit of excitement,” said Jensen.  “I’m really excited to get out there and play on home ice.”

Friday will also be the final home game for the Warriors until January 31st as they’ll head out on the road for the US Division road trip next week, so going out on a winning note will be important for the team.

The Warriors and Rebels hit the ice at Mosaic Place at 7:00pm.  You can catch all the action on Country 100, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:40pm.

Trade Deadline Looming

The WHL Trade Deadline has been in the background of the Warriors preparations throughout the week, but it’s been relatively quiet around the team since the trade of Travis Brown to Victoria on Monday.

The players have been doing their best to keep the focus on the ice and not on what could be happening behind the scenes.

“It can definitely be nerve-racking, guys are happy being here in Moose Jaw and nobody wants to go anywhere, but at the same time guys have to realize that it’s a business,” said Fioretti, who’s spent his entire WHL career with the tribe, but knows not to be too comfortable around this time.  

“The front office makes those decisions to benefit the team whether it be long term or short term, so we realize it’s a busy, but we’re all happy here and nobody wants to go anywhere.”

Defenceman Spenser Jensen is likely one player that won’t be on the move after being acquired by the Warriors last Friday from the Medicine Hat Tigers.

“Every year guys are a little more uptight around this time,” said Jensen.  “I guess I’ve already been traded so not too much to worry about now.”

The WHL Trade Deadline hits at 1:00pm on Friday afternoon, click here to follow along with the WHL Trade Tracker.