In any sport, winning is important, but it's especially important when you're a young team early in the season.

The Moose Jaw Warriors win at home Saturday night was important to the team's confidence.

In making 43 saves against Regina Saturday, even over-age goaltender Bailey Brkin felt that importance.

“It was huge to get the confidence of the boys, and get the confidence of our D-men back there, especially,” he said. “I don’t want them to just bail (me) out, but I will be there to bail them out.”

Last weekend, we learned Brkin is a confident puck handler in his own end.

He displayed that skill in moving the puck forward a lot during their 5-3 win over Regina Saturday night.

Brkin says he's comfortable with that role.

“I’m very comfortable playing the puck,” he said. “I know I can help the D-men and the forwards with everything back there.”

The Warriors have a core of 17-year-olds this year that are being taught the ways of the Western Hockey League by the coaching staff, as well as players who have been there before.

One of those vets helping out is 19-year-old winger Kaeden Taphorn, who has three full WHL seasons under his belt coming into this season.

“I think the first game we kind of got off to a slow start, but that happens when you don’t have much WHL experience,” Taphorn said. “I think the second game, we got our legs under us a bit. As veterans we just have to help the young guys out as much as we can and go from there.”

The team hopes their win Saturday helped show the younger players what kind of effort it takes to win in this league.

The Warriors next game is Friday in Brandon. Voice of the Warriors James Gallo is on the air with the Pre-game show at 6:10 a.m. Saturday, the teams return to Moose Jaw for the return matchup.