The Moose Jaw Warriors fought hard late but were not able to overcome a four-goal deficit and fell 5-2 to the Regina Pats at Mosaic Place to open their post-Christmas schedule.

Moose Jaw had good energy to start the game, they were able to come up the ice with speed and they had good attack time but they were not able to convert.

Close to the five-minute mark, Regina broke up a Warriors clearing attempt at their blueline.  Cole Dubinsky was able to set up Zach Wytinck in the right circle where he scored the Pats first goal.

Regina added to their lead on the tail end of a Warriors power-play when Austin Pratt scored on a wrap-around.

The visitors increased their lead in the second period to 4-0 when they got goals from Robbie Holmes and Ty Kolle 58 seconds apart with less than five minutes left in the frame.

In a hole, the Warriors battled throughout the third period.

Moose Jaw outshot Regina 13-8 in the final period and they were finally able to get on the scoreboard when Chase Hartje scored his first as a Warrior at 12:51.

The Warriors kept pushing hard and they were able to pull to within two at 16:56 when Hartje scored his second of the period.

For the remainder of the third the Warriors continued to battle but unfortunately, the Pats added an empty-net goal inside the final minute.

The Warriors and Pats will continue their weekend series Saturday in the Queen City, catch all the action on Country 100 starting with the PreGame Show at 6:40 pm.