Photo Credit: Julie Pringle(Snap Photography)
DECEMBER 8th, 2018
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors head up to Vernon for a tilt with their North Okanagan rivals.
WARRIORS VS VIPERS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:
Sept 14th @ Vernon LOSS 4-3
Nov 16th @ West Kelowna LOSS 6-3
Dec 8th @ Vernon
Jan 4th @ Vernon
Jan 18th @ West Kelowna
Feb 16th @ West Kelowna
The West Kelowna Warriors suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 loss at home Friday night to the Merritt Centennials. There was no shortage of intensity on Friday night, the Warriors wanted to show they could defeat the Cents, and the Centennials were tired of hearing about their home ice advantage in the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Numerous penalties were called with each team having 7 power plays, and it was the Cents with two goals late to end it 5-4. Warriors assistant coach Matt Miller was unhappy with his teams compete level in the final frame, “We talked during the game that the team that would win the compete battle would win the game, and they simply wanted it more than we did”.
The Vipers got the best of the Warriors over their past two meetings by scores of 4-3 in Vernon back in September and then 6-3 in West Kelowna three weeks ago. The Warriors found themselves down by two goals going into the final frame in both matchups. In both games the Vipers were able to capitalize on turnovers in the opposing zone scoring easy goals with Warriors players miscommunicating with each other. If you look back at the games the Warriors have won this season, it’s mainly because the team is playing as a unit where everyone is contributing and pushing the entire game. It was something missing in two of the three games in Vancouver Island and in last night’s game versus the Centennials. Assistant Coach Matt Miller knows he needs everyone playing at a high level in Vernon tonight, “I honestly don’t remember the last time we got a win in Vernon, it’s going to be hard, but as long as we roll four lines and compete for a full 60 minutes we can come out with a win tonight”.
