The West Kelowna Warriors couldn’t capitalize on their first ever opportunity to win a Fred Page Cup Championship. The good news is, they’ll have another.
The Warriors fell 5-2 to the Chilliwack Chiefs on Friday night in the Lower Mainland, being victimized by the Chiefs power play three times.
Chilliwack opened the scoring in the first period on the man advantage, with Vimal Sukumaran tucking one in off the back of Matthew Greenfield.
The Warriors would respond with a power-play goal of their own, as Kylar Hope buried one after Jonathan Desbiens hit the cross-bar moments earlier.
The story of the start of the second period was the absence of Greenfield in the Warriors crease, as Keelan Williams took over between the pipes for the first time since Game 2 against Penticton.
Williams would make 11 saves in the period, but Chilliwack tucked a pair in, also on the power play. Ryan Forbes tucked home a rebound and Jordan Kawaguchi found a loose puck to poke over the line.
West Kelowna had some great looks early on in the third period, but Aidan Pelino was stellar in shutting down four great scoring chances.
Chilliwack made it 4-1 on a late empty net goal, before Taylor Allan scored a power-play goal in garbage time as the game devolved to fight challenges and stick work. Tyler Anderson was able to score shorthanded late in the game against Matteo Esposito to make it 5-2.
With the loss, the Warriors will now host Game 6 at Royal LePage Place on Saturday night at 7 PM, looking for that fourth win in the series.
Tickets go on sale at 9 AM at the Warriors office and box office. Get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. You can also call 250-769-7051 to reserve your seats with Visa or Mastercard. A $1 service charge applies.
Doors open at 6 PM, and as always #RockTheRed
