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PREVIEW: WARRIORS RETURN HOME TO HOST THE CENTENNIALS

Photo Credit: Julie Pringle(Snap Photography)

December 7th, 2018

WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors(18-13-0-1) hope to continue their scoring ways when they host their rival Merritt Centennials(19-11-1-1) 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

Friday December 14th VS Merritt    7:00pm

Friday January 11th @ Merritt    7:00pm

Tuesday February 19th VS Merritt     7:00pm

The West Kelowna Warriors are coming off a successful Island road trip winning 2 of 3 games, most notably a 6-1 crushing to the Victoria Grizzlies last Sunday afternoon. The Warriors re discovered their scoring touch thanks to the new look line of Cavin Tilsley, Bennett Norlin, and Willie Reim. The line combined for 13 points in the 3 games played leading to Willie Reim being named the BCHL’s Player of the Week. Bennett Norlin was the first player on the Honorable Mention list being named one of the 3 stars three games in a row last week.

Tonight the Warriors will host the Merritt Centennials, a club they’ve had significant problems with this season. If you chat with any Warriors player, most won’t hesitate to tell you the worst rink in the BCHL is the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. The ice surface is not regulation size, and the home team takes full advantage of it. The Warriors have played the Cents twice this year, both games in their building where they lost respective games 8-4, and 8-3. Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Geoff Grimwood believes Merritt’s rink isn’t to blame for the poor play, “Our players need to get over that if that’s how they feel, I think people make too much of it, it was just a poor effort on our part.”

This time the Centennials will have to play in Royal LePage Place, where the Warriors have won 8 of their past 9 on home ice. Tonight is a major test for the Warriors to prove they are the better club, and new look lines and a recent scoring touch might be the recipe needed to pick up an important two points in the Interior Division. The Centennials are currently tied for second in the interior division with 40 points. The Warriors are right behind the Cents sitting at fourth with 37 points.

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 tonight’s home game versus the Cents. Visit the Warriors website and select single game tickets for more details.