Photo Credit: Endless Moments Photography
February 22nd, 2019
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The Warriors snap their 4 game losing streak with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters Friday night.
The Warriors started the first couple minutes of the game slow turning the puck over numerous times in their own zone leading to a couple scoring chances but Connor Hopkins are sharp to make the saves. At one point in the period the shots on goal were 6-2 in favor of the Smoke Eaters, that’s until the Warriors turned on the jets. A couple quality shifts by the Warriors fourth line led to some momentum for the home team. After an open ice hit by Smoke Eaters defender Powell Connor on Max Bulawka, Willie Reim collected the loose puck feeding a wide open Mike Hardman who was able to open the scoring for the Warriors. The pressure would continue throughout the period with the Warriors out shooting the Smoke Eaters 15-7 heading into the dressing room.
The Warriors started the second period on a two man advantage for over a minute and were able to capitalize on a Lucas Cullen goal only 18 seconds into the period to take a 2-0 lead. The Smoke Eaters were quick to answer back with a goal which went off a couple players and past Connor Hopkins to cut the lead to one. The pressure from the Smoke Eaters would continue the rest of the period when the Warriors would turn the puck over in their own zone leading to a Mack Byers goal which tied the game up at two heading into the dressing room.
The Warriors started off with a bang in the third sending out a new look checking line of Cavin Tilsley, Bennett Norlin and Garrett Worth. It was Norlin who rushed into the Smoke Eaters zone and split the defense allowing Worth to collect the loose puck and feed a wide open Cavin Tilsley to score his 9th of the season to make it 3-2. The lead would be short lived with Smoke Eaters Captain Braeden Tuck scoring his 15th of the year to tie the game up at 3. Both clubs would trade scoring chances late in the final frame but it would remain tied up after regulation.
Within the first dozen seconds of overtime Willie Reim would be high sticked putting the Warriors on a 4 on 3 power play. During the power play it would be Mike Hardman feeding Lucas Cullen in front of the net scoring his second of the night winning the game for the Warriors by a score of 4-3.
Shots on goal 43-39 in favor of the Warriors.
3 Stars
- TRA F Braeden Tuck (1G-1A)
- WKW F Bennett Norlin (1A)
- WKW F Willie Reim (1A)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game:
WKW F Cavin Tilsley (1G)
The Warriors next game is Saturday night versus the Trail Smoke Eaters. Puck drop at 7:00pm from Cominco Arena in Trail. Catch Saturday’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.
