Photo: #9 Carter Schmidt scored his 1st BCHL goal Wednesday night in the third period
Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
May 5th, 2021
Vernon, B.C.- The West Kelowna Warriors survive a late push and skate away with a 5-4 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
As expected when playing a team for the 9th time in the span of just over a month, both teams played a physical first period. After failed power play attempts on both sides, the Silverbacks were first to jump on the board. Hunter Sanbury’s original shot rebounded out into the slot and onto the stick of Danny Ciccarello who gave the backs the lead. It looked like Salmon Arm had doubled their lead moments later during 4-on-4 play. After a brief referee conference, the goal was overturned due to the puck being deflected in with a kicking motion.
Nick Ardanaz goal early in the second came accompanied with many firsts. The goal was his first of the BCHL Pod season, the Warriors’ first goal of the game, and their first power play goal in 20 attempts. Assisting on the play was Captain Elan Bar Lev Wise who picked up his first point wearing the ‘C’ on his chest for the Warriors. That goal would put the momentum on West Kelowna’s side. The Warriors dominated the play for the majority of the second period. Their fast pace and pinpoint passing lead to Riley Sharun squeaking the puck under the arm of Silverback’s starter Owen Say.
The firsts continued with Kelowna native, Carter Schmidt scoring his first BCHL goal. He was set up beautifully on a pass from the opposite corner courtesy of Marcus Joughin. The Backs’ struck back just 40 seconds later. Logan Shaw was left alone at the side of the net where he jumped on a loose puck. The offence continued as West Kelowna found a way to reestablish their two goal lead. The lead was then pushed to three as West Kelowna converted after breaking up a Silverback’s odd man rush. On a rush of their own Carte Wilkie snapped the puck from the top of the circle past Say. A pair of unsportsmanlike penalties in a short period put the Warriors down two men for 1:29. With the two-man advantage SIlverback’s Captain Hunter Sansbury connected to once again cut the lead to two. The Silverback’s then received their third consecutive power play where SImon Tassy made the game interesting. His goal put the Silverbacks within one. West Kelowna weathered the storm with the Silverback’s net empty.
It is now two days of no game action for West Kelowna before they begin the final weekend of BCHL Pod play. They will start with a rematch against Salmon Arm Saturday at 6:00pm before wrapping things up with a 4:00pm puck drop versus the Vernon Vipers. catch the action on BCHLTV (formally HockeyTV) or on the free internet radio stream on Mixlr.
