Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
November 13th, 2018
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors get back into the win column with a victory over their South Okanagan rival Penticton Vees.
The game started exactly the way Head Coach and General Manager Geoff Grimwood wanted: He wanted to keep up with the speed of the Vees, and win the physicality battle. Grimwood got a little bit of everything in the first period with the Vees forwards forechecking in the attacking zone leading to a turnover leaving Parm Dhaliwal all alone beating Vees goaltender Derek Krall to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead after one.
The Warriors would continue to pressure the Vees in their own zone leading to another turnover. Forward Chase Dubois was able to steal the puck feeding Lucas Cullen who was able to walk in beating Derek Krall to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead. The goal was a carbon copy of Parm Dhaliwal’s first period goal being left alone near the crease. The Vees would have some chances midway through the period but the Warriors D core led by Andrew Viggars prevented numerous chances, notably a cross ice pass leaving the Warriors net wide open where Viggars drove in front of a one time shot keeping it a two goal game. Only a couple minutes later the Warriors would go on the attack and it was Union College committed Mike Hardman wristing one past Krall to give the Warriors a 3-0 lead.
The third period saw even more pressure of the Warriors and the frustration of the Vees started to show. First it was Vees Kenny Johnson who dropped the gloves with Warriors forward Eric Olson which led to an ejection, and then Vees defenseman James Miller who dropped the gloves on Willie Reim leading to another Vees penalty essential taking them out of the game. Vees forward Drew Elser was able to score a late powerplay goal with two minutes to go in the third but it was too late. Brock Baier and the Warriors get the best of the Penticton Vees once, again.
Shots on Goal: 44-42 in favor of the Warriors
3 Stars:
- WKW G Brock Baier (41 Saves)
- WKW D Andrew Viggars
- WKW F Lucas Cullen (1G)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game:
WKW F Eric Olson
The Warriors next game is Wednesday night in Penticton. Puck drop at 7:00pm from the South Okanagan Events Centre. Catch Wednesday’s game and every other home and away game this season on Mixlr and Hockey TV. Just head to the Warriors website and click on the “Listen Live” column to get directed to a radio feed of each game.
