FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 22nd, 2018
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors got a shorthanded goal from Cole Wyatt but did not prove to be enough in a 3-1 preseason opening loss to the Penticton Vees on Wednesday night at Royal LePage Place.
In a game that featured many young prospects from the two sides, it was the Vees that opened the scoring in the first period. Finn Halladay rushed down the left wing and fired a shot from a sharp angle past Berk Berkeliev with 3:58 remaining in the frame to give the visitors a 1-0 lead after the opening period of play.
Penticton netminder Ethan Lahmon kept the game tight in the 2nd period, making some timely saves and stopping all 17 shots thrown his way in a scoreless period before giving way to Kolby Thornton midway through the frame. Berkeliev also played well into the 2nd period, making five saves in the period.
The Vees took a two-goal advantage early into the 3rd period on a net drive from Henri Schreifels. The 18-year old cut to the goal on a delayed penalty and tucked the puck underneath Berkeliev at the 14:58 mark to give Penticton a 2-0 lead.
West Kelowna got their scoring going about two minutes after Penticton’s second marker on a shorthanded breakaway from Cole Wyatt. A pass from Keegan McDowell in his own end to spot Wyatt streaking down the right side for a break and tucked the puck through the legs of Thornton to get the Warriors within a goal at 2-1 with 13:01 remaining in the game.
The Warriors had a few chances to try and tie the game, with plenty of opportunities on the man advantage before Penticton iced the game with an empty netter coming with 57 seconds remaining in the game off the stick of Ryan Green to make it a 3-1 final in favour of the Vees.
Berk Berkeliev started the game for West Kelowna, making 23 saves on 25 shots while Ethan Lahmon turned aside all 17 shots he faced before handing off to Kolby Thornton, who stopped 8 of the 9 shots thrown his way.
FINAL SCORE: 3-1 Vees
SHOTS ON GOAL: 26-25 Warriors
WARRIORS PP: 0/6
WARRIORS PK: 3/3
The Warriors are back in action with a preseason home-and-home coming up this weekend, beginning on Friday night against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at Royal LePage Place before the scene shifts to the Shaw Centre on Saturday night. Both games are set to begin with a 7:00 PM puck drop.
Season tickets are now on sale for the upcoming 2018/19 season, which is set to begin Friday, September 7th before heading to Royal LePage Place to host the Trail Smoke Eaters in their home opener on Saturday, September 8th. Head to the Warriors newly renovated office to check in on ticket details.
