Photo Credit: Julie Pringle (Snap Photography)
OCTOBER 16th, 2018
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors welcomed the 2018 RBC Cup Champions Tuesday night. The Chilliwack Chiefs stormed into Royal LePage Place looking for another two points after a thrilling home victory over the Vernon Vipers last Sunday.
1st Period: The Chiefs peppered Warriors goaltender Connor Hopkins early leading to numerous scoring chances in the first 10 minutes of the hockey game. After a Warriors penalty in the offensive zone, the Chiefs capitalized on the powerplay courtesy of leading scorer Kevin Wall off a ‘no look’ backhand pass from rookie Will Dow-Kenny giving the Chiefs the lead going into the second. Shots on goal after one, 11-7 in favor of the Chiefs.
2nd Period: The Warriors were able to generate some offense in the second. After an Ethan Bowen penalty the Warriors took advantage and after Wyatt Head fired a shot from the point, forward Max Bulawka tipped in the sharp angle rebound to tie the game at one. Six minutes later the Chiefs got the ‘go ahead goal’ thanks to a distraction. Chiefs forward Clark Nelson lost his helmet near the crease getting the attention of Warriors goaltender Connor Hopkins forcing him out of position of his net, and Will Dow-Kenny was then able to fire a wrist shot past Hopkins to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead going into the third. Shots on goal in the second, 17-11 for the Chiefs.
3rd Period: The Warriors needed a spark to start the third period but the Chiefs had other plans. After a failed dump into the Chiefs end, Kevin Wall was able to steal the puck and score a shorthanded goal taking the air out of Royal LePage Place and the West Kelowna Warriors bench giving the Chiefs a 3-1 lead. Things got worse for the Warriors allowing two more goals from Harrison Blaisdell and Colton Kitchen, which would end the night for goaltender Connor Hopkins. The Warriors would spend the final five minutes of the hockey game in the Chiefs end trying to extend the point streak of Willie Reim who has registered a point in every game played this year. Best chance of the game came from a Max Bulawka pass to Reim who was all alone on Mathieu Caron but the Chiefs goaltender shut the door. Reim’s point streak ends at 12 games. Shots on goal in the third period, 15-13 in favor of the Warriors.
Chiefs Head Coach and General Manager Brian Maloney has to be pleased with the way his goaltender played this evening. Mathieu Caron started 15 out of 16 games for the Chiefs this season and doesn’t look like he’s slowing down anytime soon. The Warriors had numerous scoring chances throughout the game which could of easily changed the pace of this evening’s matchup. The Warriors will look to rebound this Friday night when they host their South Okanagan rivals the Penticton Vees.
3 Stars:
- CWK D Will Dow-Kenny (1G-1A)
- CWK F Kevin Wall (2G-2A)
- CWK F Harrison Blaisdell (1G-2A)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game:
CWK G Mathieu Caron 32 saves
Tickets are still available for this Friday’s matchup with the Vees and other home games this season. Visit the West Kelowna Warriors website and check out our new ticketing system where you can pick and choose your own seats. Just a reminder that Murray’s Pizza West Kelowna Warriors Hockey is also available to watch live on Hockey TV and Mixlr.
