Photo Credit: Damon James
January 11th, 2018
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The new look West Kelowna Warriors(22-19-0-1) head to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena for a tilt with the Merritt Centennials(26-13-1-1) tonight.
WARRIORS VS CENTENNIALS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:
Friday October 12th @ Merritt 7:00pm LOSS 8-4
Sunday November 11th @ Merritt 2:00pm LOSS 8-3
Friday December 7th VS Merritt 7:00pm LOSS 5-4
Friday December 14th VS Merritt 7:00pm WIN 6-3
Friday January 11th @ Merritt 7:00pm
Tuesday February 19th VS Merritt 7:00pm
The Warriors are coming off yet another loss, this time taking a beating from the Coquitlam Express 8-1. The Warriors came out strong in the first period with Austin Chorney scoring his first goal as a member of the Warriors, but that was the only goal they could put past Express goaltender Kolby Matthews all evening. The story of the game was in the second period where the Express scored 6 answered goals in the second period. The Warriors had several defensive breakdowns throughout the game, leaving numerous Express players easy scoring chances.
Tonight the Warriors head to Merritt with a clash with the Centennials. This will be the final time the Warriors visit the old Nicola Valley Memorial Arena this season, (pending playoffs). The Cents rink has caused issues for the Warriors this season, being out scored 16-7 in the two games combined in Merritt. Warriors coaching staff have a ton of respect for this Centennials club, calling them the best team in the league. The Cents roll 4 lines who can score. Centennials forwards Nic Granowicz is sitting at 6th in BCHL scoring with 48 points, and veteran Brad Cocca is 4th in BCHL scoring with 51 points. The Warriors are right up there with the Centennials with offensive talent. Mike Hardman is 3rd in BCHL scoring with 52 points, and forward Chase Dubois who had a spectacular month of December is now 5th in league scoring with 49 points. Dubois’s 10 game point streak was snapped this past Monday versus the Coquitlam Express.
The Warriors will be utilizing a different looking lineup tonight with the new acquisitions of forwards Garrett Worth and Quinton Waitzner. Worth,19, is committed to Arizona State University next year. The Duluth Minnesota product scored 2 points in 7 games played in the BCHL this season, spending time with the Vernon Vipers and Prince George Spruce Kings. Waitzner, 18, is a veteran of 82 WHL games; he played all 82 as part of the Swift Current Broncos in parts of 3 seasons. In a total of 34 games played this season, he collected 2 assists. The Victoria, British Columbia native brings an element of size and strength to the Warriors lineup coming in at 6’4 and 204 lbs.
“The addition of both Quinton and Garrett adds to our already deep group of forwards,” stated Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Geoff Grimwood “Both acquisitions help in making our group deeper from one to thirteen up front and gives us more options with the lineup going forward.” continued Grimwood, “We like Quinton for the size and strength he brings as well as a strong background in being a top penalty killer. Garrett is someone who possesses a ton of skill and he sees the game very well. We expect both of these players to be major factors leading up to and in our playoff push this season.”
Warriors also announced that forward Eric Olson has been sent back down to the Jamestown Rebels of the NAHL, as per request of the player.
Warriors Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Chase Johnston is back on the mic with a pregame show 10 minutes before puck drop. Just a reminder that tickets are still available for Saturday night’s matchup versus the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Visit the Warriors website and select single game tickets for more details.
