Carl Hesler scored twice and called it a “great team win” as the Warriors stole a 3-1 victory in Penticton on Friday.
Trailing 1-0 after an even opening frame, West Kelowna poured it on in the second period.
Hesler got the Warriors on the board when he buried a rebound after some extended pressure early in the second.
Adam Osczevski gave the Warriors the lead when he banged-in a Brett Mennear centring feed midway through the frame. Osczevski’s goal would hold up as the first game-winner of his BCHL career.
Hesler’s second of the game late in the second period would give the visitors a two-goal cushion and breathing room as they went into lockdown mode in the third.
“I thought we really deserved this one tonight” Hesler believes. “It was awesome.”
Having just one win in the previous three years of regular season matchups, Hesler knows how pivotal earning a win in Penticton is for last year’s Interior Division bridesmaids.
The rookie forward flagged good discipline and determination as keys to his club’s success.
“We gave 100 per cent the whole game” Hesler asserts. “We won all the battles in the corners and we really just outworked them the whole game.”
Penticton’s lone tally came off the stick of Captain Brad McClure during a 5-on-3 advantage during the first period.
The Vees also appeared to score a second PPG midway through the third, but the goal was waved off (likely because the whistle had gone before the puck went in).
The teams will match up once more on Saturday at Royal LePage Place before they begin their Christmas breaks. “I’m focused on tomorrow night’s game” Hesler insists. “I’m not satisfied with just that win, I want to win tomorrow night too and really go into break on a high note.”
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