A preview of the first-round playoff series between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The three-vs-six matchup in the Eastern Conference will feature the Moose Jaw Warriors taking on the Brandon Wheat Kings. These two division rivals last faced off during the 2016 playoffs when Brandon defeated Moose Jaw 4-1 in the second round. A balanced series during the regular season, each team picked up three regulation wins plus one coming via either overtime or the shootout. 

The Warriors come into the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the WHL. Led by Jagger Firkus, who led the CHL with 126, Moose Jaw is an offensive juggernaut that features multiple NHL first-round draft picks in Brayden Yager, Denton Mateychuk and Matthew Savoie. The Eastern Conference leaders in goals this season, they have their eyes set on a long playoff run this spring. 

As for the Wheat Kings, they are a solid team that matches up well against the Warriors. Led by Brett Hyland, Carson Bjarnason and Dominik Petr, they come into the playoffs having won their last three games. Despite coming in as underdogs, they have the talent to pull off an upset in the first round.

Prediction: Moose Jaw in 5

Playoff Schedule:

Game 1: Friday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. ST @ Moose Jaw
Game 2: Saturday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. ST @ Moose Jaw
Game 3: Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m. CT @ Brandon
Game 4: Thursday, April 4, 7:00 p.m. CT @ Brandon
*Game 5: Saturday, April 6, 7:00 p.m. ST @ Moose Jaw
*Game 6: Sunday, April 7, 6:00 p.m. CT @ Brandon
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 p.m. ST @ Brandon

Season Series:

Moose Jaw Warriors: 4-3-0-1
Brandon Wheat Kings: 4-3-1-0

Moose Jaw 3 @ Brandon 5 (Mar 21, 2024) Final
Brandon 2 @ Moose Jaw 4 (Feb 15, 2024) Final
Moose Jaw 4 @ Brandon 3 (Dec 16, 2023) Final
Moose Jaw 4 @ Brandon 5 (Dec 8, 2023) Final SO
Brandon 3 @ Moose Jaw 4 (Nov 9, 2023) Final OT
Moose Jaw 3 @ Brandon 4 (Oct 26, 2023) Final
Brandon 2 @ Moose Jaw 5 (Sep 29, 2023) Final
Brandon 9 @ Moose Jaw 4 (Sep 23, 2023) Final

Leading Scorers During Season Series:

Moose Jaw Warriors:

1) Jagger Firkus- 7 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 P
2) Brayden Yager- 6 GP, 4 G, 8 A, 12 P
3) Atley Calvert- 8 GP, 6 G, 1 A, 7 P
4) Pavel McKenzie- 7 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 P
5) Denton Mateychuk- 4 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 P 

Brandon Wheat Kings:

1) Caleb Hadland 8 GP, 2 G, 8 A, 10 P
2) Nolan Flamand 8 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 P
3) Jayden Wiens 8 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 8 P
4) Brett Hyland 7 GP, 6 G, 1 A, 7 P
5) Roger McQueen 7 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 P 

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