Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
August 28th, 2019
PENTICTON, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors found themselves flat footed against an opening night Vees lineup Wednesday night in Penticton.
With players still looking to find a spot on the Warriors roster. Brandon West had veterans like Parm Dhaliwal, Lucas Cullen and Mason Richey taking the night off after combining for a 7 point evening last Saturday against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Tonight Warriors fans got to see their Captain Jake Harrison take the ice for the first time in 2019 being paired with returning Warriors defender Declan Douthart. The Warriors found themselves in penalty trouble to start the game and it cost them after the second violation. The Vees star studded powerplay went to work and it was their Captain David Silye who would beat Evan Fradette to make it 1-0. Warriors goaltender Fradette would make a number of key stops throughout the period to keep it a one goal game heading into the dressing room. Shots 14-5 Vees after one period.
The Warriors would start off the second period with a flurry of opportunities leading to a power play goal from Hermantown, Minnesota native Levi Stauber to tie the game at one. The rails would later come off for the Warriors with the Vees answering right back with a goal from Danny Weight to make it 2-1. Then only 14 seconds later Jay O’Brien would go hard to the net and beat Evan Fradette to make it 3-1. Then only 33 seconds later the Vees would add yet another goal, this time from newcomer Alex DiPaolo to extend the lead to three. Warriors would attempt to push back minutes later but after a couple more penalties taken by the Warriors the Vees power play would go back to work. One goal was scored shortly after one man advantage courtesy of Vees Captain David Silye, then with under two minutes remaining Lukas Sillinger would score on the powerplay to make it 6-1 heading into the third period.
The third period began with a miscue in the Warriors zone with defenseman Skyler Cameron losing the puck leading to a breakaway all alone for Liam Malmquist who beat Evan Fradette to make it 7-1 Vees. Warriors would have a short sequence of scoring chances late but couldn’t cash in and beat Vees backup goaltender Yaniv Perets. The Vees would add a pair of goals late from forward Tristan Amonte making it 9-1 which would eventually be the final. Shots on goal 43-15.
The Warriors next Exhibition game is on the road this Friday versus the Trail Smoke Eaters. Puck drop 7:00pm from Cominco Arena. This game will be streamed on Hockey TV and will be broadcast on the Warriors radio network on Mixlr.
The Warriors regular season opener is Friday September 6th, visit tickets.westkelownawarriors.ca for details and packages.
