The West Kelowna Warriors fell 4-1 to the Nanaimo Clippers in the second game of the BCHL 3rd round on Thursday night, as a pair of empty netters dotted the final minutes.
Connor Sodergren scored the first goal for the Warriors late in the opening period, firing a shot from the slot that bounced off the goaltender Evan Johnson, up in the air and dropped over the line for the 1-0 edge.
The Clippers would respond though before the period was out, as a nifty deflection by Nanaimo’s leading scorer Sheldon Rempal tied the game at one.
There was no scoring in the second period, and none until halfway through the third when Matthew Hoover had all the time in the world to go to his backhand and beat Matthew Greenfield to take the lead.
West Kelowna could not find the equalizer on a fury with around five minutes to go, and Rempal and Hoover each deposited their empty netters to make it 4-1.
With the win, the Clippers head back to Nanaimo to welcome the Mainland Division winning Chiefs on Saturday. The Chiefs host Nanaimo Monday, before visiting the Warriors on Wednesday.
Tickets for the Warriors Wednesday game are on sale at the Warriors office Monday – Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm.
