The Westwood Warriors have removed their coaching staff, after intentionally losing a playoff pool game against College Jeanne Sauve on Thursday.
Leading 3-2, the Warriors coaches pulled their goalie for the remainder of the game, allowing CJS to win, in an attempt to eliminate the league leaders from Oak Park, who trailed in the playoff pool standings.
The Winnipeg High School Hockey League stepped in, saying while the strategy was technically within the rules, the decision was morally wrong.
Officials feared it hurt the integrity of the WHSHL, so a one-game showdown between the Oak Park Raiders and the Warriors was held Friday afternoon. Westwood Principal Mike Wake and former coach Dorian Miller took over for the game.
Oak Park won the game Friday afternoon by a score of 4-1. Oak Park will play College Jeanne Sauve in the WHSHL semi-final on Saturday. While Westwood was eliminated from city playoffs, the team will still qualify for provincial playdowns, based on a strong regular season record.
Mike Wake said that even in losing, the right message was sent to the school's kids.
