Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
October 18th, 2019
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors pick up their first home victory of the season after defeating the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 2-1 Friday.
The Warriors got news hours before puck drop that Lucas Cullen was healthy enough to return giving the Warriors a big boost along with the return Levi Stauber who was out with illness and defender Andrew Viggars who returned to the Warriors lineup, and it was Viggars who made an impact early. While the Warriors were on the powerplay the second unit went to work, John Evans was able to find an open Viggars sneaking in on the left side to make it 1-0 Warriors. The Warriors got a scare late in the first with Spencer Hora taking a skate to the helmet forcing him to exit the game. Shots after one period, 9-6 Warriors.
The Warriors knew they were in tough against a very good Silverbacks team who came out flying in the second period, but some good defensive play and quality goaltending from Brock Baier kept it 1-0 Warriors after two periods of play. Shots on goal 20-20 after two.
The third period saw some quality fore checking from the Warriors. In the first minute Max Bulawka was able to steal the puck in the Silverbacks zone and put one past the Silverbacks goaltender Dylan Kruss to extend the lead and make it 2-0. For the remainder of the period the Silverbacks were on the attack but Warriors goaltender Brock Baier stood tall. The Silverbacks would score one late but couldn’t solve Baier as he finishes with 37 saves.
Final shots on goal: 38-24 Silverbacks.
Three Stars:
- WKW Andrew Viggars (1G)
- WKW Brock Baier (37 Saves)
- SA Dom Garozzo (1G)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game:
WKW F John Evans (1A)
The Warriors next game is Saturday, October 19th versus the Merritt Centennials. Puck drop 6:00pm from Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna. This game will be streamed on Hockey TV and will be broadcast on the Warriors radio network on Mixlr.
