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PREVIEW: WARRIORS LOOK FOR REDEMPTION VERSUS VIPERS

Photo Credit: Damon James

January 18th, 2018

WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors(24-19-0-1) kick off Rogers Hometown Hockey when they host the Vernon Vipers(17-16-7-3) Friday night.

WARRIORS VS VIPERS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:

Sept 14th @ Vernon         LOSS 4-3

Nov 16th @ West Kelowna     LOSS 6-3

Dec 8th @ Vernon  WIN 2-1

Jan 4th @ Vernon   LOSS 4-3

Jan 18th @ West Kelowna

Feb 16th @ West Kelowna

The Warriors snapped their 5 games losing streak last week with impressive victories over the Merritt Centennials and Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Tonight they host their North Okanagan rivals the Vernon Vipers. Last time the Warriors faced the Vipers was back in January 3rd where the Vipers held on to defeat the Warriors 4-3. It was a game where the Warriors came out very slow after the Christmas break and found themselves trailing 4-1 in the third period. The Warriors would score twice in the final frame with a surge in the final 13 minutes but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback. Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Geoff Grimwood wasn’t happy with his clubs effort in the 6-5 victory last week against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, and knows the Vipers can take full advantage of poor defensive play, “Vernon is a really good hockey club. They’ve hung tough through lot of injuries and suspensions. They’re getting healthier every week. The Vipers play tough, and we’re going to need to tidy up a lot of things if we want to beat them.”

Each club has a feature player this evening.The Warriors are expected to play former Vernon Viper Garrett Worth. Worth, 19, was acquired at last weeks trade deadline in a deal with the Prince George Spruce Kings. The Duluth Minnesota product has only played 7 BCHL games this season, with his one and only goal scored against the Warriors back on November 16th when Worth played for the Vipers. One player for the Vernon Vipers to watch is on the back end, Brendan Kim. Kim, 18, has only scored 4 goals this season, all of them against the Warriors. The former Okanagan Hockey Academy blue liner scored a pair of goals in the November 16th game and the January 3rd game.

The Warriors are currently sitting in 4th place in the Interior Division with 49 points. 4 points behind the Wenatchee Wild and 4 points ahead of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Vernon Vipers are currently sitting in 6th in the Interior Division, one point behind the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, and 4 points ahead of the Trail Smoke Eaters.

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 tonight’s matchup versus the Vernon Vipers. Visit the Warriors website and select single game tickets for more details.