However, the Moose Jaw Generals did just enough to come away with a 2-1 win over the Tisdale Trojans on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League semifinal.

"I thought both teams were a little bit tired from the playoff battles but they both worked hard all night long," Generals head coach Ray Wareham said. "We're happy and excited about getting the win here and in also being able to take that home ice advantage back after the loss on Monday."

One of the biggest differences in the Generals performance on Friday was their defence.

After giving up 41 and 30 shots in the first two contests respectively, they limited the Trojans to 24 shots on goal in their third meeting this week.

"Your not going to win many games when your giving up over 30 shots on a goal and we did a lot better job of keeping their guys from walking into our end," Wareham said.

"They did put some pressure on us at the end and we have to make sure we aren't allowing as many free shots as we did, but on the whole I thought we did a good job."

Evan Thomas was the hero for the second straight game for the Generals. He put the hosts in front for good near the halfway mark of the third period after a scramble in front of Trojans neminder Kye Steinke.

"He's been getting into the right spots at the right times," Wareham said. "He's worked hard all year and he tries to do whatever he can out there to help the team out.

"All of them are working hard at the moment but Evan's been able to work himself into the open ice here in the last couple of game in some key moments and he's taken advantage of them with two big goals."

Cole Fonstad found the back of the net in the first period on a gorgeous highlight-reel goal that saw him split two defenceman before putting a backhander past Steinke to tie the game up at one.

Jarid Mohart's two assist performance earned him player of the game honours. He made a massive play as the clock wound down in the third period as he was able to block a late rush up the ice by Logan Foster.

"That was a wild finish there," Wareham said. "We went over the play on the board during their timeout (with 6.2 seconds left) but it ended up getting messed up a bit and Jarid was there to dive over and save the day.

"It's frustrating as a coach but at the age group the guys can get a little excited and forget things when your in a big moment like that. We've been in a lot of tight games this year though and I think that's helped us out."

The lone goal for the Trojans came early in the first period when Colby Brandt banged the puck by Hunter Arps. Despite some good chances in the second half of the contest, a slow start to the night proved to be costly for the visitors.

"We didn't have a lot of jump but Ray had his guys playing really well tonight," Trojans head coach Darrell Mann said. "They found a way to win in a tight game and it's do or die for us.

"We're going back home, which is a good thing, but for whatever reason we haven't been that great at home during the playoffs. That will have to change on Sunday."

If the Generals can wrap the series up on Sunday they will clinch a berth into a SMAAAHL final against the Notre Dame Hounds.

A Trojans win will force a fifth and deciding game on Tuesday night at Mosaic Place.

"We just need to match their work ethic," Wareham said.

"They aren't going anywhere. They are a good team and they will be fighting and clawing their way to stay alive on Sunday. We expect nothing less than their best and we need to have our best game of the playoffs so far if we want to win."