Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
October 24th 2020
West Kelowna, B.C. – In their final meeting in the round robin of the Okanagan Cup the West Kelowna Warriors were victorious over the Vernon Vipers, skating away with a 4-3 overtime win. The win meant a lot more because Total Restoration matched what the Warriors raised for Breast Cancer Awareness Night
The Warriors came into Saturday’s fundraiser with a goal of $3000 in mind for the BC Cancer Foundation. They were able to slash it because of John Evans heroics in overtime giving the Warriors the victory and with that, Total Restoration Kelowna matched the $2500.00 the Warriors raised to mark a grand total of $5000.00.
Warriors President Chris Laurie is beyond excited with the conclusion of the fundraiser, “What a fantastic event! We raised $5,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation and win a heck of a hockey game. Thank you to all the Warriors fans for supporting the cause!”
GAME RECAP
Continuing his hot pace of play since joining the Vernon Vipers, Will Arquiett would open the scoring. Gaining speed from his own defensive zone he would accelerate into the Warriors zone and lift a backhand over the shoulder of Cole Schwebius. The Warriors would fire back almost immediately. Matthew Steinburg, who has also seen recent scoring success, would find the back of the net to even the score 1-1 within the three minute mark of the first period. However, the tie would be short lived as the Vipers would regain the lead. Max Bulawka would tuck one five hole to restore the Vipers lead to 2-1. Vernon would continue their attack and eventually be rewarded. Reagan Milburn would score his first. His marker would put the Vipers ahead 3-1, a lead they would carry to the first intermission.
The second period would see the Warriors push back. Just after their man advantage expired, John Evans would tally his third of the preseason from the top of the faceoff circle. The game would then take a physical turn. Matthew Steinburg would be hit into the boards from behind by Vipers defenceman Hunter Donohoe. Steinburg would take exception to the hit dropping the gloves with Donohoe. Both players would receive fighting majors and game misconducts. The fight would spark the Warriors bench. Elan Bar Lev Wise would score against his former team to bring the score to a 3-3 tie.
In similar fashion to the night before, the teams would skate through a scoreless third period. The Warriors were able to kill off a late penalty and ride the momentum from the kill into the overtime period.
In the extra frame it was Evans cashing in on his 2nd of the night propelling the Warriors to a 4-3 OT win. He would break into the Vipers zone and fire a shot over the glove of goaltender Kobe Grant. The win gives the Warriors a clean sweep of the Vipers in the round robin of the Okanagan Cup.
The Warriors will now enjoy the Halloween weekend off before wrapping up the round robin with a weekend set against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Both games will be broadcasted on HockeyTV, the Warriors Mixlr Network and the Shaw Spotlight Channel. Saturday November 6th will be a 6:30pm puch drop from the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm. That game will be followed by a 7:00pm start from Royal Lepage Place in West Kelowna. A reminder to Warriors fans that Wings West Kelowna will have both games televised.
