The West Kelowna Warriors continue on a three-game home stand when they take on their Interior Division rival, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks Tuesday night from Royal LePage Place.
Season Series:
Friday, October 7th @ Royal LePage Place (5-3 Silverbacks) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, October 14th @ Shaw Centre (5-4 OT Silverbacks) (BOXSCORE)
Saturday, October 15th @ Royal LePage Place (6-4 Silverbacks) (BOXSCORE)
Wednesday, November 2nd @ Shaw Centre (4-2 Warriors) (BOXSCORE)
Tuesday, December 6th @ Royal LePage Place (7:00 PM)
Wednesday, February 15th @ Shaw Centre (7:00 PM)
Saturday, February 25th @ Shaw Centre (7:00 PM)
The Warriors come into Tuesday night’s action after a win and a loss over their two games last week with a loss on Friday night in Vernon against the Vipers by a 6-1 score but rebounded nicely on Saturday night with a 4-2 victory on home ice against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Stephen Kleysen, Braiden Epp, Jake Harrison and Connor Sodergren all tallied in the Warriors 13th win of the season while Shane Farkas made 25 saves on 27 shots for his 7th victory of the season, and his 2nd against the Bulldogs this season.
The Warriors and Silverbacks will already be playing in their fifth game against one another on the season with the ‘Backs winning 3 of the 4 meetings thus far. The Warriors picked up their first win of the season series back on November 2nd, a 4-2 win in Salmon Arm. Trevor Martin made 39 saves on 41 shots while Quin Foreman scored twice with Braiden Epp and Connor Sodergren providing singles in the victory for the Warriors.
West Kelowna came through with a big rebound effort after their loss on Friday night in Vernon with a solid 4-2 win the next night against the Bulldogs. The Warriors got large efforts from Stephen Kleysen and Chase Stevenson, each earning three points in the game while the West-K defense tallied another goal courtesy of Jake Harrison to spread the scoring around to go along with four different goal scorers on the night.
The Warriors lineup will get a bit of a boost on Tuesday night as forward Logan Mostat will make his debut for The Tribe. Mostat was acquired by the Warriors last Saturday before the game against Alberni Valley for goaltender Keelan Williams (’96). The Salmon Arm, BC native compiled 11 goals and 24 points in 31 games so far this season with the Surrey Eagles and will be a welcome veteran presence in the Warrior lineup.
The Silverbacks had a week to remember with a pair of big victories including a 4-3 double overtime win in Penticton against the Vees on Friday night courtesy of Carter Cochrane’s OT winner. The ‘Backs followed that up with an impressive 7-2 win over the Trail Smoke Eaters at home the next night with two goals from Elijiah Barriga and singles from Mitch Skapski, Haydn Hopkins, Josh Blanchard, Jared Turcotte and Carson Bolduc. Newcoming goaltender Nic Tallarico made 26 saves on 28 shots for his 2nd straight victory.
Speaking of Tallarico, he is one of the new faces around Salmon Arm since the last time these two teams met up. The Vancouver, BC native impressed in his first weekend with the club after SA released Brandon Kegler as Tallarico made 77 saves on 82 shots for a 2.35 GAA and a .939 SV% in his first two games on the season with Salmon Arm. Carter Stephenson was also added to the team from the Vipers in a trade that saw Cameron Trott head to Vernon. Stephenson has one assist in four games with his new team.
The change has not just been with the personnel on the ice but off of it as well as Brandon West was relieved of his coaching duties and former assistant coach Misko Antisin was named head coach in relief of him. Since the coaching switch, announced on November 9th, the ‘Backs own a record of 5-4-0-0 in 9 games under the helm of Antisin.
The puck drops at 7:00 PM tonight against the ‘Backs as the Warriors look for back-to-back victories. It’s Tuesday which means tickets are just $5 and are available at the Warriors office or by calling Kim at (250) 769-7051. The Warriors wrap up their three-game home stand on Friday night against the Merritt Centennials.
