Third-Period Surge Lifts Warriors Past Bucks in Gritty Comeback Win
The West Kelowna Warriors showed resilience and character Saturday night, storming back in the third period to earn a hard-fought win over the Cranbrook Bucks.
The game opened at a slow pace for the Warriors, who were shorthanded just a minute in. They successfully killed the early penalty but struggled to generate offense against a tight-checking Bucks squad. The first period turned into a chess match, with both sides limiting time and space and neither team able to find the scoresheet.
Early in the second, the Warriors were again sent to the penalty kill, and this time Cranbrook made them pay. Camden Charron fired a point shot through traffic to give the Bucks a 1–0 lead. The remainder of the period lacked rhythm, with few sustained chances and a quiet atmosphere in the building.
The tide turned in the third. The Warriors came out with jump and urgency, clearly intent on erasing the deficit. Their power play finally broke through after a crisp passing sequence set up Noah Garthe for his 12th of the season to tie the game.
With momentum on their side and time winding down, the Warriors struck again. At 17:27 of the third, Ian Alonso tipped home his 8th of the year to give West Kelowna their first lead of the night.
Cranbrook pulled the goalie late, but Olivier Chan sealed the comeback with an empty-net goal, assisted by Caden Kemkaren-Humble.
Special teams played a key role, with the Warriors finishing 1-for-3 on the power play and a strong 4-for-5 on the penalty kill. In goal, Bor Glavic was steady throughout, stopping 26 of 27 shots and earning third star honors.
Associate coach Liam Blackburn highlighted the impact of the Kemkaren-Humble,Chan,Podworny line after the game:
“Things were not going our way and that line went out and played the right way and had a lot of good chances and good ozone time all night. They were rewarded with an empty net goal at the end and were a main reason why we were able to start a comeback in the game.”
A gritty, patient effort and a surge at the right time powered the Warriors to another memorable comeback victory.
The Warriors are back at home Monday against the Bucks for a family day afternoon game at 2:30pm. The Warriors will be doing a post game skate with the players be sure to come and cheer on your Warriors.
