Going in Saturday’s game, 14 of the Warriors’ 21 goals had come from Tristin Langan, Justin Almeida, and Josh Brook, however, the secondary scoring finally stood up for the Warriors in the 4-3 win over the Spokane Chiefs at Mosaic Place.

Tate Popple and Daemon Hunt both found the back of the net for the first time this season, while Brayden Tracey and Danill Stepanov also scored as the Warriors finished their weekend on a winning note.

"That’s what you need to win, you more than just your top players to score goals," said Warriors head coach Tim Hunter. "We’ve been hoping for Popple, or somebody like that to score a goal, and Dan Stepanov got the winner with a nice deflection, and of course, Daemon Hunt had a good night offensively with a goal and an assist on the winner."

Hunt finished with a goal and three points in Saturday’s victory, as the 16-year-old rookie has started to find his stride eight games into the season.

Hunt said he’s feeling comfortable playing top-four minutes in his first WHL season, "I feel like I’ve adapted really quickly, it’s a fast league, but I’m confident with the puck and game-by-game, I’m getting more comfortable and responsible with the puck and making better plays as the games go on," he said.

Popple also found the back of the net for the first time this season in Saturday’s win. It had been a long seven games without a goal for the 18-year-old forward.

He said he was happy to finally be able to chip in, "It felt like forever, but it’s nice to contribute and help the boys get a win," said Popple.

Popple has been centring the Warriors’ second line this season and he had been bringing his usual hard work on the forecheck but wasn’t able to break through offensively.

"I just try to work hard and get pucks on net and it hadn’t been going in, so it’s nice to get that one," he said.

The Warriors have another full week of practice before returning to game action as they will host the Calgary Hitmen on Friday night at Mosaic Place. Moose Jaw heads to Regina on Saturday.

Spokane Chiefs captain Ty Smith turns up ice during Saturday's game at Mosaic Place. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Chiefs’ Smith Aims to Impress in MJ

The Moose Jaw Warriors and Spokane Chiefs face-off just once per season, which means Saturday was one of the only opportunities for Chiefs defenceman, and Team Canada hopeful, Ty Smith to show what he can do for Canadian National Junior Team head coach Tim Hunter.

Smith didn’t waste his chance, posting a goal and three points in a dominating performance for the Chiefs during a 4-3 loss to the Warriors at Mosaic Place on Saturday.

"It kind of dawned on me a little bit when I was tying my skates, I was like 'Oh, he’s the coach,' so I thought I better get going [tonight]," said Smith after Saturday’s game.

Hunter kept a close eye on Smith during the game and came away impressed with what he brings to the table.

"I watched every time he’s on the ice and was paying close attention, anybody that’s on our radar for the World Junior team, I’m getting good views of them, but the real test will be in the Russia Series when we’re playing a good hockey team and he has good players around him, that’s the next test," said Hunter.

Smith, a first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, has represented Canada at every level, including wearing the 'C' for Canada at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship.

Last season for Spokane, Smith led defencemen in scoring in the WHL with 14 goals and 73 points in 69 games.

"The best description I’ve heard of Ty Smith is he’s like the surveyor, he gets the puck and he has great vision and he sees where is the best pass and he makes that play, he’s capable," said Hunter. "He’s not unlike most young defencemen, he has a little bit of trouble in his own end physically, but as far as the puck moving and the hockey IQ, he’s top of the class for sure."

Smith has one goal and 11 points this season for the Chiefs, who continue their East Division road trip in Brandon on Tuesday.

Defenceman Jett Woo wearing an 'A' for the Warriors on Saturday. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Woo & Hamaliuk Added to Warriors’ Leadership

The Moose Jaw Warriors had two new players added to their leadership group on the weekend with Dalton Hamaliuk sporting an 'A' on Friday in Brandon and Jett Woo wearing the letter at home on Saturday.

The Warriors announced their leadership group following the opening game of the season a few weeks ago with Josh Brook serving as the captain with Justin Almeida and Tristin Langan being alternates.

Since then, Woo has returned from injury and the Warriors sorted out their 20-year-old situation with Hamaliuk sticking around following the trade of Brandon Schuldhaus.

Raiders Sweep WHL Weekly Awards

Two Prince Albert Raiders walked away with the WHL’s weekly awards on Monday.

Raiders forward Brett Leason was named WHL Player of the Week after registering eight points in three wins for Prince Albert last week.

Leason is off to a fantastic start to the season with nine goals and 22 points in 11 games this season for the Raiders, who have posted a 10-1-0-0 record.

Raiders goalie Ian Scott won the WHL Goaltender of the Week award for the second time in the past three weeks as he went 3-0 with a 1.00 goals against average and 0.963 save percentage, including his first shutout of the season.

Scott stopped 77 of 80 shots over the three games for the Raiders.

He has a 9-1-0-0 record with a 1.60 GAA and a 0.943 SV% through ten starts this season. He’s first in the WHL in wins, and second in GAA and SV%.