Warriors take early lead in Platinum division race

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This article was published 09/11/2022 (205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Warriors are sweeping the battlefield.

The Westwood Collegiate varsity boys hockey team has dominated the Winnipeg High School Hockey League’s Platinum Promotions division this season, boasting a 5-2-1 record, good for 17 points, at press time. This performance had vaulted Westwood into first place over 12 other teams, ahead of a Nov. 4 tilt against Collège Béliveau.

Warriors centre Tristen Arnason, 17, is pleased with how the season has been shaking out so far.

“It’s been a pretty solid start and it’s just going to keep getting better from here,” Arnason, a Grade 12 student, said during an Oct. 27 interview at Bell MTS Iceplex.

“Every season starts with good games, bad games … I wouldn’t even really say we’ve had a bad game yet.”

Westwood players also top the division’s leading scorers chart. Arnason and Madden Parnell led the division in points at press time, with Parnell at 17 points and Arnason close behind with 16 points. Parnell had scored nine goals, the most of any player in the division, and Arnason was responsible for 13 assists.

Warriors head coach Steve Christie explained that Parnell, who’s a Grade 10 student, has had an electric start to his varsity hockey career.

“(Parnell) has been a really good fit and has really been able to make that big jump as a Grade 10 and contribute right away,” Christie said.

Warriors goalie Evan Kozak ranked first in the division in minutes played with 202.12 minutes of ice time. Kozak boasted a goals against average number of 2.23 at press time.

Arnason, a Grade 12 student, plans to keep raking in big points and big games this season, while making the solid plays he’s known for.

“Our line drives a lot of the offence,” Arnason said. “Evan (Warsaba) is a big part of that as a winger on my line.”

Warsaba, the Warriors’ 17-year-old left wing, had five goals and two assists at press time. Aside from honing his own performance on the ice this season, the high school senior wants to help the younger players reach their potential.

“We got a lot of good energy coming from them,” Warsaba said.

“Hopefully we can set a good example and have them step up when we leave.”

Both Arnason and Warsaba believe the losses their team has faced so far this season are preventable moving forward. The Warriors sustained a 4-1 loss against the Garden City Fighting Gophers, who are the team to beat in the division, according to Arnason and Warsaba. The northwest Winnipeg team is stacked with seniors and former AAA players.

“They’re a pretty similar team to us, I’d say,” Arnason said.

“They got a well-balanced offence. A couple of lines that can score … Really no weak links to that team.”

The Warriors will be in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from Nov. 9 to 14 for a varsity high school tournament that is sure to arm the prairie athletes with a competitive edge as they enter the second half of the WHSHL’s 24-game regular season.

The Warriors’ next WHSHL game takes place at Keith Bodley Arena on Wed., Nov. 16, when the boys will take on their west Winnipeg rivals, the Oak Park Raiders.

Go to www.whshl.com for up-to-date Winnipeg High School Hockey League standings.