By RANDY PALMER
Times-Herald Sports Reporter
Moose Jaw Warriors coach Len Nielsen hopes his rookie-laden team learned a valuable lesson from Friday night's Western Hockey League contest in Brandon against the Wheat Kings.
Play as individuals and take a period off at this level of hockey and you're bound to get burned.
The Wheat Kings scored four goals in the second period and led 7-2 at one point early in the third before the Warriors scored four unanswered goals to eventually drop an 8-6 decision.
Brandon's final goal was into an empty net.
"I thought we got off to a real good start, we were playing with a lot of intensity and it showed with how well things went for us in the first period," Nielsen said in reference to Moose Jaw's 2-1 lead after the first.
Shaun Landolt and Shawn Limpright scored just over a minute apart to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead before the game was 10 minutes old.
That would be the only offence the Tribe would put together for the next period and a half as Brandon scored seven unanswered goals and built their substantial lead.
"We started to play a little too much as individuals and at the same time weren't moving the puck as well as we could, and that really hurt us," Nielsen said.
"It's that time of year where things like that are going to happen and it's a bit of a learning experience," he added. "Hopefully the guys saw what can happen when you play like that and learned from it."
As bad as things looked at that point, the Warriors managed to go on a run of their own midway through the third --keyed by a David Bararuk power play goal 8:31 into the period, the Warriors added three more over the next seven minutes to pull to within one.
Landolt, Jason Weitzel and Aaron Thompson with the Warriors second power play goal of the period narrowed the gap to 7-6 with 4:31 to play.
"Even when we were down 7-2 the guys didn't quit," Nielsen said. "They kept playing hard and they were rewarded for it, they almost came all the way back."
That's what makes the loss all the easier to take -- and while losing at any time of the season is a concern, knowing whatever problems exist can be repaired is something to build on.
"There were some mistakes out there but they're mistakes we can work on and fix," Nielsen said. "The best thing is the younger guys are getting an opportunity to play and learn. They're starting to see some of the things they did when they were younger aren't going to work at this level and that's part of becoming a better player."
To that end, Nielsen and his coaching staff have already seen regular improvement in the club's rookies.
"There are guys who are starting to feel a lot more comfortable on the ice and it shows," he said. "Other than that complete malfunction in the second period it was a good game."
Young finished the game with two goals and an assist while former Warrior Justin Hansen scored twice and added a pair of helpers for Brandon. Crina Pzarpaint also had two goals.
Lance Monych and Reagan Leslie scored the Wheaties' other goals.
Nathan Deobald went the distance in goal for the Warriors, turning aside 33 shots, 17 in the second period.
Warrior Scalpings . . . the Warriors currently have eight players away at National Hockey League camps, including Deryk Engelland (New Jersey), Steve Crampton (Pittsburgh), Brian Sutherby (Washington), Tim Barlow (Washington), Jamie Lundmark (New York), Sean O'Connor (Florida), Ben Knopp (Columbus) and Sean Connors (Montreal). . . next action for the Warriors will be Tuesday when they host Brandon. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
