Photo: #23 Riley Sharun celebrates his 1st career BCHL goal Thursday afternoon. Sharun would add a 2nd goal in the 3rd period.
Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
April 8th, 2021
Vernon, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors epic comeback falls short as the Salmon Arm Silverbacks edge the Warriors 4-3 in overtime.
The first period was mostly controlled by the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. It started with a quick power play goal by the Backs after Julien Racinescored his 1st career BCHL goal to make it 1-0. The Warriors answered back minutes later with the new look third line of Damon Jugnauth, Brennan Nelson and Riley Sharun going to work. After some great forechecking, Brennan Nelson was able to steal the puck from behind the net and find Riley Sharun open in the slot making no mistake and scoring his 1st BCHL goal to tie it up at one heading into the 2nd frame.
The second period shows some push from the Warriors but it was the Silverbacks scoring the lone goal off a major miscommunication from the Warriors. Warriors forward Isaac Suppin and Silverbacks forward Cam Recchi stepped out of the penalty box at the same time. Suppin decided to go right after the puck where as Recchi waited for a breakaway pass which he received and beat Warriors goaltender Zach Bennett to make it 2-1 Silverbacks.
The Silverbacks got off to a great start to period three with Noah Serdachny scoring an insurance goal extended the lead to 3-1. With a long hill to climb the Warriors pressed their foot on the gas pedal in the final stages of the period. Head Coach Simon Ferguson went with his best line of the afternoon with Jugnauth, Nelson and Sharun going to work and this time Damon Jugnauth was able to feed Riley Sharun giving Sharun his 2nd of the game and his first career multi goal game in the BCHL. With under a minute remaining in regulation the Warriors left the net empty to make it 6 on 5. During a scramble near the Silverbacks crease, a shot from Tyler Cristall would go off Silverbacks goaltender Owen Say right to the stick of Marcus Joughin and in. The goal would be Marcus Joughin’s first career BCHL goal sending the game to overtime.
In the extra frame the Warriors and Silverbacks both traded quality scoring chances during 3 on 3 play but it was the Silverbacks Simon Tassy who was able to turn on the jets and beat Zach Bennett and send the Warriors packing with only a single point to show. Final score 4-3.
The Warriors are back in action Thursday and Friday afternoon. Thursday will be against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Friday against the Vernon Vipers. Puck drop at 1:00pm for both games. Warriors fans can enjoy each game on BCHLTV (formally HockeyTV) or on the free internet radio stream on Mixlr.
