The Moose Jaw Warriors staged a big comeback but fell just short in a 5-4 loss to the host Saginaw Spirit Friday night, in their first game at the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup.
The Saskatchewan team spotted four goals before storming back with three goals in the final two minutes of the second period to make it a 4-3 game.
The teams each scored once in the third period as the team from Michigan hung on for the win.
"You don't really know what to expect, and I think it just took us a little too long to adapt tonight," said Warriors defenceman Denton Mateychuk, who had a goal and two assists.
"We kind of waited and sat back to see what was going to happen, and then next thing you look up and it's four-nothing."
Moose Jaw forward Brayden Yager had two goals and an assist for the Warriors.
Matthew Savoie had the other Moose Jaw goal.
Zayne Parekh had a goal and two assists to lead Saginaw. Nic Sima, Owen Beck, Jorian Donovan and Josh Bloom also scored for the Spirit.
Andrew Oke made 22 saves in the win, while Jackson Unger stopped 31 shots for the Warriors.
Yager says the team has to build off how they played in the second half of the game.
"If we move forward and you know, not dip our toes in the water to start games …[and] play a full 60 minutes, we should be able to win."
Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said sloppy play and losing puck battles cost the team.
"I just thought we were just slow all over the ice," O'Leary said. "Turnovers through the neutral zone and being slow to jump to pucks, it's a bad recipe."
The Warriors look to bounce back on Monday when they play Ontario League champion London Knights in the four-team round-robin tournament.
Moose Jaw booked their ticket to Saginaw, Mich., for the Canadian
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