OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Warriors played a staunch defensive game and goaltender Cameron Korpi made 35 saves to beat the New Mexico Ice Wolves 2-1 at Blazers Ice Centre Saturday.
Oklahoma broke the ice 7:25 into the first period when Malte Hasselgren capitalized on a net front battle, potting in a rebound from William Lawson-Body and Will Brenner. The Warriors would take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Drew Sutton scored the game-winning goal with 6:46 remaining in the second period. Hunter Jones sprung Sutton on a neutral zone breakdown, and Sutton fired it past the New Mexico goaltender to give Oklahoma a 2-0 lead. Kaden Nelson picked up his second assist of the season with the goal’s secondary assist. The Ice Wolves answered back quickly, two minutes and 11 seconds later, but Oklahoma would shut them down and carry the 2-1 lead until the end of the game. New Mexico pulled its goaltender with two and a half minutes left, but controlled stops by Korpi and defensive zone systems allowed the Warriors to lock down their seventh win in eight games.
The Warriors will continue their five-game homestand with two games against the Odessa Jackalopes November 17 and 18 at Blazers Ice Centre.