The Moose Jaw Warriors scored two goals in the first period and went on to down the Swift Current Broncos 5-2 Saturday night at Mosaic Place.

Max Wanner had a goal and two points, while Robert Baco scored his third goal in three preseason games to lift the Warriors to the win.

16-year-old forward Brayden Yager scored his first of the preseason in the third period to provide insurance for the Warriors, who improved to 3-0 on the preseason. 

Approaching the middle of the opening period, Warriors 17-year-old defenceman Denton Mateychuk picked up a loose puck deep in the Moose Jaw zone.

Mateychuk flung the puck up the ice, 17-year-old rookie Tate Schofer beat the Broncos to the puck and then snapped a shot past goalie Jacob Herman for his first goal of the preseason, giving Moose Jaw a 1-0 lead.

Inside the final minute of the period, the Warriors controlled the puck at the Swift Current blueline. Second-year defenceman Max Wanner took a shot from the point that found the back of the net, giving Moose Jaw a 2-0 lead.

Moose Jaw added to their lead halfway through the second period.

17-year-old defenceman Matthew Gallant broke up a Broncos clearing attempt at the Swift Current blueline. Gallant then tossed the puck towards the net where import forward Robert Baco swatted it past the goalie, his third of the preseason gave the Warriors a three-goal lead.

Swift Current was finally able to respond at 7:30 of the third period when Raphael Pelletier scored a power-play goal.

The Broncos continued to press and were able to inch within one at 12:46 when Josh Filmon scored their second power-play goal of the game.

Moose Jaw stole momentum away from the Broncos 62 seconds later when Brayden Yager scored his first of the preseason. The Warriors put the game away inside the final two minutes when Calder Anderson scored a shorthanded empty-net goal.

Anderson and Wanner led the Warriors with a goal and two points and 20-year-old goalie Carl Tetachuk finished with 22 saves.

The team is now off until next weekend when they will take on the Regina Pats in a home-and-home series to finish the 2021 WHL Preseason schedule. The action starts Friday at Mosaic Place and then shifts to the Queen City on Saturday.

Next weekend will also mark the return of Warriors Hockey on Country 100. James Gallo and Derek Kletzel return to the radio Friday starting with their abbreviated PreGame Show at 6:55 pm.