#28 Tyler Cristall along with the rest of his Warriors team was held scoreless Friday night.
Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
November 13th, 2020
West Kelowna, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors fall short in their quest for the Okanagan Cup, falling 2-0 to the Vernon Vipers
A preseason like no other entered its playoff portion Friday night. The Vernon Vipers traveled to Royal Lepage Place for the fifth meeting between the two teams since the tournament began in late September. The difference with this game, the winner advances to the Okanagan Cup finals.
Halfway through the 1st period the Vipers opened the scoring. JoJo Tanaka-Campbell jumped on a loose puck at the top of the Warriors crease and tucked his 4th of the preseason past Warrior’s goaltender Johnny Derrick. That would be the only goal scored on a manned crease. From that moment on, the two goaltenders would take over.
In his third start since arriving on loan from the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL, Vernon starter Koen MacInnes was sensational stopping all 31 shots he faced. Derrick was equally good, keeping the Warriors within striking distance till the final buzzer.
Cameron Macdonald provided the Vipers with the insurance goal, finding the back on an empty net with 58 seconds remaining. With the victory the Vipers now face the Penticton Vees tomorrow night in a winner takes all showdown for the Okanagan Cup Trophy.
The loss wraps up the preseason for West Kelowna. Their focus will now shift to the BCHL regular season, slated to begin the first weekend of December.
