Photo Credit: Julie Pringle(Snap Photography)
NOVEMBER 23rd, 2018
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors travel South of the border for back to back games with the Wenatchee Wild.
WILD VS WARRIORS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:
Sept 15th VS Wenatchee – 4-2 LOSS
Sept 26th VS Wenatchee – 7pm 5-2 WIN
Oct 30th VS Wenatchee – 7pm 6-2 WIN
Nov 2nd @ Wenatchee – 7:05pm 4-3 WIN
Nov 23rd @ Wenatchee – 7:05pm
Nov 24th @ Wenatchee – 7:05pm
The Warriors are looking to get back on track after losing three of their past four games. These losses are mainly concerning given they’re from Interior Division opponents. Last week saw the Warriors playing from behind majority of the hockey game. First it was Penticton scoring 3 goals in the first seven minutes allowing the Vees to nurse a comfortable lead throughout the game, and then it was at home in Vernon where the Warriors were caught in their own zone allowing goals off turnovers. The goaltending for the Warriors has also taken an unusual turn for the worse with Brock Baier being chased out of his net for the past two games and Connor Hopkins also chased out of his net in the November 11th game in Merritt. The goaltending for the Warriors is among the best in the league, but Head Coach and General Manager Geoff Grimwood believes it’s the team in front his goaltenders that need to play better. “We wanna get those guys back into their regular groove, but when you don’t play well in front of them and we hang them out to dry, they can’t stop everything”.
Grimwood knows his club can’t go deep in the playoffs allowing 40-50 shots on goal every game, and it was the acquisition of Ohio State committed Austin Chorney who will assist in supporting the goaltenders. Chroney has registered a point in both games played with the Warriors since being acquired, and a full week of practice with his new club should solidify some more chemistry on the back end for the Warriors. The Warriors have won numerous games this season will all credit given to their goaltenders Brock Baier and Connor Hopkins. Key to a Warriors victory tonight will be to make sure they don’t turn the puck over in their own zone. Multi goal leads for the opposition is a recipe for disaster.
The Warriors have won three in a row over the Wenatchee Wild, most recently in the Toyota Town Centre by a score of 4-3. Since that loss, the Wild have been on tear winning five of their past six games, most recently in Salmon Arm where they defeated the Silverbacks 7-1. There is no doubt that Wild Head Coach and General Manager Bliss Littler will have his club ready for a very important double header versus the Warriors this weekend.
Catch tonight’s game on Mixlr and Hockey TV. 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 the Tuesday night tilt versus the Langley Rivermen. Visit the Warriors website and select single game tickets for more details.
