It’s time for the real thing now for the Moose Jaw Warriors after they closed out their exhibition schedule over the weekend with a pair of losses to the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Moose Jaw finished the WHL Preseason with a 3-2-1 record.

More than the record, the team is walking away from the preseason happy what they’ve been able to accomplish over the past three weeks to get ready for the 2017-18 regular season.

“It’s been a great evaluation tool and that’s what it’s suppose to be, and a developing tool to give some guys some playing time,” said Head Coach Tim Hunter.

“The guys that we expected to give our development to, Daemon Hunt, Brayden Tracey, Austin Herron, Matthew Benson, all these guys progressed really well, had great camps and it was a great experience for them. Now we get prepared for the real thing and make some tough decision on what the team is going to look like.”

The Warriors could have as many as 18 returning players this season, meaning roster spots were in short supply and would need to be won rather than handed out.

16-year-old defenceman Austin Herron made a strong final statement that he deserves a spot on the team with a hard nosed game on Saturday in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Wheat Kings.

“Left everything I got out there, I’m pretty beat up and sore,” said Herron. “I thought the preseason went pretty good, I took a big step and worked really hard. I worked hard over the summer to come prepared to show that I’m ready to play.”

The six-foot-four Herron was a third round pick by the Warriors in 2016. He showed a physical edge to his game on Saturday as he battled all over the ice with Brandon.

Herron said his game is at the best when he’s banging-and-crashing.

“I get more confident when I lay the body, I’m more comfortable with the puck,” he said.

Herron is battling with in-coming defenceman Matthew Benson, Brendan Kwiatkowski and Chase Hartje for spots on this year's team.

Defenceman Austin Herron in action during Saturday night's preseason finale at Mosaic Place. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Justin Almeida looks primed for a breakout season coming out of the preseason after he scored his fourth goal in four games on Saturday. The 18-year-old forward has showed another gear throughout the preseason.

“I thought I did well and just need to keep getting better every day and carry that over into the regular season,” said Almeida. “I worked on my control of the puck and being calm under pressure and then in the gym, being stronger and trying to get a better fitness level really helped me.”

Almeida took a puck to the face two weeks ago in Regina, forcing him to miss last Saturday’s game against Medicine Hat. He was ready to go for the final weekend of the preseason and didn’t miss a beat.

He said it was key for him to get back on the ice before the end of the preseason, “I was able to get back up to game speed, so getting these two games in before the regular season really helped,” said Almeida.

The Warriors are still waiting for six players to return from NHL camps, so some roster decisions may be delayed until they return.

Hunter said there’s no doubt some tough decisions ahead for the Warriors’ front office staff.

“Quite a few guys did enough to make some decision difficult,” said Hunter. “Now it’s just a matter of chemistry, team make-up and you have to make right decisions on whether you’re going to keep 16-year-olds or add older guys, but that’s what we get paid to do. The players already did their part.”

The Warriors will kick-off the regular season on Friday night in Prince Albert. They host the Raiders for their home opener the next night at Mosaic Place.