It would be tough to script a better road trip or a better way to end the regular season.
After come-from-behind overtime triumphs in Victoria and Cowichan Valley, the Warriors found a way to sweep their final road trip of the year by coming from behind to win in Nanaimo on Sunday.
Trailing 2-0 heading to the third period, West Kelowna took advantage of consecutive powerplays to edge the Clippers 3-2.
Josh Monk blasted home the winner after Marcus Basara and David Pope had already tallied, as the Warriors won their fourth straight contest to head into the playoffs on the ultimate high-note.
Having already clinched second place on Saturday night, the Warriors didn’t even need a result in their final outing on Sunday.
Defenceman Josh Monk knows his team just wanted to keep the momentum rolling into the post-season. Monk says his club’s approach was “Just not to go into the playoffs with a loss.”
With a handful of key players still out due to injury, it was special teams that came through on Sunday.
The Warriors tied and won the game with powerplay goals late in the third period, but Monk also points to a full two-minute five-on-three the Warriors had to kill off earlier in the frame. “We’ve got some guys with good sticks out there and we get in shooting lanes. And obviously you your goalie’s got to be pretty good … Steve made some good saves for us today.”
After struggling in Saturday’s win in Cowichan Valley, Steven Myland responded with a strong performance, stopping 27 pucks for his 6th win of the season.
Clippers netminder Jayson Argue also played well, making 29 saves in the loss. Nanaimo’s goals came from Matthew Grant and Mason Mitchell, both in the first period.
The Warriors now head home to prepare for Friday’s playoff opener against Merritt, and Monk believes his team is ready.
“Since Christmas we’ve been on a pretty nice streak” Monk says. “I think we’ve got a lot of depth, and I think guys realize what it takes to win now, and how to win.”
Stay tuned for further updates on the upcoming BCHL playoffs, and visit The General’s Report for further coverage of the West Kelowna Warriors.
