Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
February 27th, 2020
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors begin the first round of the BCHL Interior Division Quarter Finals versus the Penticton Vees Thursday night.
Warriors vs. Vees 2019/20 Regular Season Schedule: Vees SWEEP 6-0
Friday, September 27th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM) LOSS 3-0
Saturday, September 28th @ Royal LePage Place (6:00 PM) LOSS 7-3
Friday, December 6th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM) LOSS 5-1
Saturday, December 7th @ Royal LePage Place (6:00 PM) LOSS 3-2
Tuesday, January 21st @ Royal LePage Place (7:00 PM) LOSS 5-2
Sunday, February 9th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (2:00 PM) LOSS 5-4 OT
Warriors vs. Vees Playoff Schedule
Thursday, February 27th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
Friday, February 28th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
Sunday, March 1st @ Royal LePage Place (3:00 PM)
Tuesday, March 3rd @ Royal LePage Place (7:00 PM)
Wednesday, March 4th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
Saturday, March 8th @ Royal LePage Place (7:00 PM)
Monday, March 10th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
The Warriors are coming off a fantastic finish to the regular season. When things seemed to fall apart late, the Warriors swept a very motivated Vernon Vipers club. It started with a 6-4 victory in Vernon and then without both John Evans and Tyler Cristall in the lineup the Warriors were still able to defeat the Vipers 6-5 in a shootout. Depth scoring is exactly what the Warriors coaching staff was looking for heading into the playoffs and they got it.
Special Teams
Warriors Vees
PP: 12th (16.5%) PP: 6th (19.8%)
PK: 15th (76.3) PK: 7th (83.1%)
Tonight there’s no off nights for the Warriors. The first round of the BCHL Playoffs begin, and unlike last season, the opponent is more difficult than ever, the Penticton Vees. The Vees head into the first round of the playoffs with a much healthier club compared to seasons past and have a roster that’s built for a long playoff run. Last season the Vees shocked the Junior hockey world being eliminated by the Cowichan Valley Capitals in the first round. This year they have a slogan “This is OUR YEAR”, indicating the mistakes they made last year are behind them. The Vees also have a complete lineup this postseason, not relying on their top forwards for scoring but rather getting production from the best third line in the BCHL, the line of Tyler Ho, Coleton Kalezic and Tristian Amonte. The trio has been solid shutting down and scoring on the Warriors but even shutting down the leagues top forward Kent Johnson of the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Warriors came close to defeating the Vees back on February the 9th when the Warriors had a 4-3 lead late fall short with the Vees winning in overtime. The Warriors played a near perfect game other than allowing a couple turnovers leading to the Vees comeback. If the Warriors want to upset the Vees in the first of two games, it’s obvious perfection or close to perfection is needed.
This evening’s game will be broadcast on both HockeyTV and the Warriors Mixlr Network. Puck drop at 7:00pm from South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton. For tickets to any upcoming home game visit the Warriors website for details and packages.
