Photo Credit: Julie Pringle(Snap Photography)
DECEMBER 11th, 2018
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors derail the Coquitlam Express Tuesday night.
The Warriors didn’t waste any time scoring the first goal of the evening on the power play. It was Chase Dubois who fed Mike Hardman who fired the puck and beat Express goalie Clay Stevenson sharp angle to make it 1-0. The Express would answer right back only 27 seconds later with Connor Gregga scoring his 12th of the season to tie it up. Two minutes later Parm Dhaliwal would spring Lucas Cullen loose on a breakaway and Cullen was able to make it look easy to beat Clay Stevenson and make it 2-1 halfway through the first. With 7 minutes to go the Express would go to their first power play of the night and it was the newcomer for the Express Jared Power who was able to get a pass sent to Connor Gregga for his second of the night tying the game at two heading into the dressing room.
The Warriors would take over play for majority of the second period with numerous scoring chances and it was the fourth line that was able to connect. Warriors forward Eric Olson was able to kick the puck to Mason Richey which allowed Richey to cross ice the puck to Brandon Dent who was wide open to make it 3-2. The Express would push late in the period but it was Connor Hopkins making a couple massive stops to keep it a one goal game.
The Express would start the third period on the power play but were unable to cash in with Connor Hopkins making a couple big saves, notably a cross ice pass where Express rookie Danny Pearson was robbed on the one time shot. The Warriors would gain momentum after killing the penalty and it was Chase Dubois again feeding Mike Hardman who scored his second of the hockey game to make it 4-2. Hardman finished the game tied with Powell River Kings forward Ryan Brushett for the league lead in goals scored.
Shots on goal 38-34 in favor of the Warriors.
3 Stars
- WKW G Connor Hopkins (32 Saves)
- WKW F Mike Hardman (2G)
- WKW F Chase Dubois (3A)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game:
COQ F Connor Gregga (2G)
The Warriors next game is Friday night versus the Merritt Centennials. Puck drop at 7:00pm from Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna. Catch Tuesday’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.
