Depth and character shone through for West Kelowna on Sunday in a 5-3 win in Surrey.
Leading 2-1 after the opening period, the injury-plagued Warriors succumbed to a strong surge from the defending champs to fall behind 3-2 after 40 minutes.
However, playing their third game in as many days, the Warriors stormed back in the third, striking three times to secure a winning lower-mainland road trip.
His first BCHL goal, Taylor Graham notched the equalizer on a powerplay six minutes into the final frame. Tyson Dallman soon buried another PPG, giving the Tribe a shock lead. Dallman then added his second of the game in the final two minutes to seal the astonishing win.
Asked about the challenge of playing on Surrey’s Olympic-sized ice surface while missing so many key players, Dallman replied that simplicity was the only secret. “We didn’t really think to change our game at all.”
“Our powerplay was simple” Dallman suggested, “Just get it to the net and create chances wherever we could.”
Special teams did prove crucial in the matchup, with the Warriors clicking at 2/4 while holding the Eagles to no goals on three powerplay opportunities.
Jordan Masters and Matt Anholt scored first period goals for West Kelowna, while Kale Bennett, Austin Ferguson and Brett Mulcahy responded for the Eagles.
After replacing injured starter Andy Desautels late in the first period on Saturday in Langley, Cody Porter earned his first BCHL win in his first start of the season on Sunday.
“It’s awesome to get that first win” Porter says. Playing in front of his family in the Greater Vancouver area, the 16 year-old admits “It’s a pretty cool moment” in his blossoming career.
“I think I played well” Porter continues. “Obviously there’s things to improve on and it’s a learning experience, but I’m happy to get the win.”
The victory gives the Warriors five of a possible six points on the road trip, and catapults West Kelowna back into sole possession of first place in the Interior Division.
“It’s a good weekend for the guys” an exhausted Dallman grinned before boarding the bus back to West Kelowna. “We left it all on the table.”
Find full interviews and more insight into the West Kelowna Warriors at The General’s Report.
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