Prince George found a way to end West Kelowna’s perfect home record, defeating the Warriors 3-2 at Royal LePage Place on Saturday.
Trailing 3-1 after the first two periods, the Warriors awoke in the final frame and clawed back to within a goal.
However, PG netminder Alex Murray was solid and his defenders blocked shots with vigour, as the Spruce Kings emerged with a shock road victory over the top team in Interior Conference.
“Sometimes you have it” Warriors forward Carl Hesler speculated after the game. “Tonight, we didn’t have it.”
Hesler scored West Kelowna’s second goal and was named the evening’s second star.
But, the rookie admitted that his team struggle in the early going on Saturday, despite looking so impressive in a 3-1 victory over Merritt the night before.
The Warriors appeared to lose their composure in the first and second periods as well, frustrated at plays that didn’t connect as well as refereeing that gave Prince George nine powerplays to West Kelowna’s two.
However, there were no excuses from Rylan Ferster. “We didn’t deserve it” the Warriors Head Coach and GM stated.
Justin Rai led the Prince George attack, setting up Skylar Pacheco’s opening goal midway through the first period and then striking what would hold up as the winner just 19 seconds later.
Christian Weidauer also scored for PG, as the Spruce Kings ended a three-game losing skid by scoring more goals (three) than they had in the previous three outings combined.
“They played an outstanding road game” Ferster acknowledged, paying credit to a Spruce Kings club that hasn’t lost to West Kelowna since Dec. 2011.
The Warriors will enjoy a short break for Thanksgiving before taking on the Penticton Vees for the first time this season on Friday.
Visit The General’s Report for broadcaster Jon Zacks’ notes on the West Kelowna Warriors.
