Photo Credit: Russ Alman / Digital Media Northwest
March 3rd, 2019
WENATCHEE WAS. – The West Kelowna Warriors even up the best of seven series after a commanding 5-1 victory Sunday night.
It was all Warriors from the get go. Within a minute to start the hockey game Cavin Tilsley was able to score on a breakaway to make it 1-0 Warriors. The Wild would have chances on Connor Hopkins where the puck would sit on the crease waiting to be tapped in but the Warriors were quick to clear any scoring chance the Wild thru at them. Late in the period the Warriors would add one more with Parm Dhaliwal feeling Lucas Cullen in the slot to extend the Warriors lead to two heading into the dressing room.
The second period has been an issue all season for the Warriors when they play in Wenatchee, but not Sunday night. The top line of Dhaliwal, Cullen and Dubois would go to work with relentless pressure in the attacking zone. First it would be a sloppy clearing by the Wild leading to Parm Dhaliwal to feed a wide open Chase Dubois who would score his first of the playoffs to make it 3-0. Then with under five minutes to go Lucas Cullen would find a wide open Dubois in the slot scoring his second of the night making it 4-0 Warriors after the second frame.
The Wild would get the much needed goal with 12 minutes remaining in the third but the Warriors were quick to answer back with one of the strangest goals you’ll ever see. Lucas Cullen tried to back hand a pass from behind the Wild net to one of his forwards but instead the puck would go off the Wild goaltender Cal Sandquist and in to make it 5-1. The Warriors would play stout defensively in the final minutes allowing them to skate off with a game two victory.
Shots on goal 33-23 in favor of the Wild.
3 Stars
- WKW F Lucas Cullen (2G-2A)
- WKW F Chase Dubois (2G)
- WKW G Connor Hopkins (32 Saves)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game:
WKW F Cavin Tilsley (1G-1A)
The Warriors next game is Game 3 of the BCHL Interior Division Quarterfinal Tuesday night versus the Wenatchee Wild. 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.
