SEPTEMBER 8th, 2018
WEST KELOWNA B.C – The West Kelowna Warriors silenced the critics last night with an overtime win against a very deep Trail Smoke Eaters squad.
Warriors vs. Smoke Eaters 2018/19 Regular Season Schedule:
Friday, September 7th @ Cominco Arena (7:00 PM) WEST KELOWNA WIN 4-3 OT
Saturday, September 8th @ Royal LePage Place (7:00 PM)
Saturday, October 20th @ Cominco Arena (7:00 PM)
Saturday, January 5th @ Royal LePage Place (7:00 PM)
Friday, February 22nd @ Royal LePage Place (7:00 PM)
Saturday, February 23rd @ Cominco Arena (7:00 PM)
The Warriors look for a home at home sweep tonight against the star studded Trail Smoke Eaters. Last night Geoff Grimwood received some more bad news. Both James Philpott and Cole Wyatt’s cards were not processed before Friday’s game which lead to the Warriors using only three forward lines all evening. Adversity is something that isn’t new to West Kelowna Warriors players and they came out strong with a quick goal four minutes into the game by Mason Richey who scored his first BCHL goal. Trail then bounced back with a shorthanded goal by their captain Braeden Tuck to finish the first period. The first 10 minutes of the second was all Smoke Eaters doubling up the Warriors on shots and scoring twice courtesy of another Braeden Tuck goal and Hayden Rowan scoring his first BCHL goal. The Warriors picked up play late in the second with a quick poweplay goal from Union college committed Mike Hardman off a saucer pass from Wyatt Head. The Warriors trailed by one goal going into the second intermission. Only one minute into the third, Cody Pavirinta wired a slap shot from the point that went through a pile of bodies in front and past Smoke Eaters goal tender Adam Marcoux and the game was all tied up at three. Play of the game had to be from goaltender Connor Hopkins for the Warriors last night where he robbed 15 year old Kent Johnson with six seconds to go keeping the game deadlocked at three going into overtime. The new rules this season includes 3 on 3 overtime with a shootout afterwards if necessary, but the Warriors preferred to finsih the game during overtime with a Wyatt Head breakaway roofing it past Adam Marcoux to pick up a massive victory in hostile territory. Wyatt Head was awarded third star of the hockey game and tallied up two points for the Warriors.
Tonight will be a different looking roster. Forward Willie Reim will be available after serving a one game suspension dating abck to last years playoff round, and hopefully James Philpott and Cole Wyatt’s BCHL cards will be processed in time so the Warriors can run almost a full lineup. Matt Kowalski should be the only player still out of the lineup serving his second of a four game suspension. The question for head coach and general manger is, what will the lines look like? One of the best looking lines to start the game was Captain Cavin Tilsley alongside the two rookies Mason Richey and Brandon Dent. Mason Richey scored the first goal of the season for the Warriors and Dent showed that big things come in small packages. Dent, 16, weighed in last year at only 140 pounds, and looked for some of the biggest guys on the ice to hit last night. With both Willie Reim and Cole Wyatt expected to slot into the lineup this evening it will be interesting to see how Geoff Grimwood adjusts the lineup. One trio that more than likely won’t be broken up is the top line of Parm Dhaliwal, Chase Dubois, and Mike Hardman. This line was creating chances in the offensive zone all night. Look for these three to continue their stellar play tonight at RLP.
The Smoke Eaters key is simple, stay disciplined. At one point of the game in the second period, the Smoke Eaters looked like they were running away with the game until they took about 4 penalties, one of them leading to the Mike Hardman powerplay goal to cut the Smoke Eaters lead to one. Jeff Tambellini will send out the exact same lineup tonight but it is unclear whether Adam Marcoux or Tanner Marshall will start between the pipes. One player to watch out for is rookie Micheal Hodge. Hodge, 18, looked like of the best players on the ice for Trail last night showcasing his skill physically and mentally as he was able to setup two out of the three Smoke Eaters goals last night. Hodge and the rest of the Smoke Eaters hope to spoil the party at Royal LePage Place tonight.
Just a reminder that tonight will be the “Party in the Plaza” featuring a BBQ, family fun activities, and live entertainment before the game starting at 4:00pm. It was also just announced that The West Kelowna Warriors players will be available for a meet in greet at the Plaza starting at 4:30pm today, and will be signing autographs after the game tonight in the Royal LePage Place lobby.
Tonight’s game will be broadcasted live on HockeyTV and BCHLWarriors Mixlr feed. Pregame at 6:50pm, puck drop at 7:00pm.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2018/19 season.
Head to the Warriors newly renovated office to check in on ticket details.
