ASSINIBOIA - Assiniboia fans of the Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL team, have been loving the exciting season their team has offered. Whether occasional attendance or ravenous following of their regular season and subsequent playoff games that have led to the team to the WHL final, fans are at the rink cheering on their favourite WHL team.
Ryan Melquist said, “I attended games as a kid with my dad and grandpa. Now my dad and I still attend, taking our older kids, Ashlyn and Riley and taking our youngest, to one of the final games in the series.”
Melquist said he feels every game they attended was exciting, especially all the overtime games in the Eastern Conference final against Saskatoon Blades.
“Riley’s favourite players are #27 and #29, and he made a sign to get on the jumbotron and for players to see, and it worked!”
Kylie Volsky also attends when she is able, and added, “The Warriors have a lot of talent and depth. Jackson Ungerer has been absolutely stellar between the pipes.”
Volsky acknowledged that Moose Jaw and surrounding rural communities have rallied behind this team and believes this remarkable season has increased their fan base.
“I can’t say I have been a big WHL fan in the past, but the Warriors have my attention these days,” affirmed Volsky. He is looking to watching some of the WHL finals games in Moose Jaw during the week of May 13-17 when they play Portland at home in the best-of-seven series.
Jackie Pituley, Assiniboia teacher, said on average her and her family have attended six regular season games along with five playoff games, two of which were for the Eastern Conference finals against the Saskatoon Blades. They watch all other Warriors games on the CHL app.
Pituley said ticket sales for the home games of the WHL final went quickly so her and her family have taken the standing room only ticket option to cheer on the Warriors in their quest for the league title.
Treyton, Maguire and Ryker Pituley join the family in Warrior hockey excitement and have since Treyton and Maguire were three. “Watching our favourite team in these playoffs, it feels amazing, nerve wracking and exciting all at the same time,” added Pituley.
Family highlights include goaltender Unger’s diving save in a playoff game, when the team came back at home after being down 4-0, and just being there to watch the team they love to cheer for.
Treyton said his favourite player is Denton Mateychuk, Maguire’s favourite player is Brayden Schurrman and Ryker’s favourite player is Lynden Lakovic, while sister Falyn, loves hometown boy, Atley Calvert. All of these players made their mark all season, but especially in the Eastern Conference finals.
Shelley Dahlman said they are a hockey family, enjoying all calibres of hockey. She works in Moose Jaw and attends games throughout the season, stating, “The playoffs have been super exciting with a high quality of play-making, creating an enjoyable game.”
As of May 12, Moose Jaw led the best-of-seven series 2-0, with games three, four and five held at home in Moose Jaw, with the possibility of capturing the WHL title in front of home fans.
