West Kelowna, BC – To quote Rihanna; Where have you been all my life?
The Warriors returned home after a three game road trip on Saturday night to take on the Okotoks Oilers, and seemingly picked up where they left off on Total Tuesday against the Penticton Vees. Fast, physical, offensive hockey, strong goaltending, and (mostly) sound play in their own zone.
The party started in the latter stages of the opening frame, as Jackson Kyrkostas gained the attacking zone, threw on the brakes at the top of the left faceoff circle, and dished a beautiful pass in front to Cal Hughes, who beat Okotoks goaltender Olivier Ciarlo to make it 1-0. Less than two minutes later, Kelsen Podworny would walk out of the left corner, and throw a worm-burner off the left skate of Ciarlo and into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
As the first turned to the second period, the Warriors continued the onslaught. New acquisition Tyler Grahme gained the attacking zone with speed, dished for Luciano Bruno, who went right back to Grahme in the slot. Backhand, forehand, bing-bang-boom. 3-0 West K, as Grahme notched his first career BC Hockey League goal.
In the third period, another rush from Tyler Grahme resulted in one of the prettiest goals of the season, as he centred for Luka Graziano, who went to the near side for Dylan Krayer, who knocked home his 8th of the year to increase the lead to 4. A couple of minutes later, a Simon Houge point shot would ricochet off the glass behind the net, back to the front of the goal, off a Oilers defender, and into the back of the net, capping off West Kelowna’s emphatic offensive explosion.
Between the pipes, Jack Lisson stopped all 30 shots he faced for both his first BCHL win and shutout. The Oakville, Ontario native’s first career goose egg, along with Dawson Labre’s donut against the Vees two weeks ago, is also an all-time milestone for the Warriors franchise, as it’s the first time team history that the club has ever posted shutouts in back-to-back home games.
Next up for the West Kelowna Warriors is a trip to Vancouver Island, beginning Wednesday night in Port Alberni, where they’ll challenge the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 7PM.
PHOTO: Tami Quan Photography
