The Westside Warriors snapped a three game winless streak Friday night with a well-deserved 5-2 victory over the visiting Coquitlam Express.
Connor Dempsey again led the way offensively picking up the primary assist on four of the Warriors five goals on the night.
The Warriors also got contributions from their two big defencemen, as Izaak Berglund and Michael King both earned their first goals of the season.
Warriors coach Rylan Ferster says the defencemen have been given a bit of a green light to jump into the play when the opportunity presents itself.
"For the most part we do have defencemen who can jump in so we want to let them jump in, but I think it's such a timely thing," says Ferster.
"You have to look at not only the time but the score and really pick your spots. That's a learned thing that we're still working with them. If it's a good decision and a good time I don't think we have a problem with it."
Tyler Krause (7th), Max French (4th) and Brett McKinnon (2nd) also scored for the Warriors.
Zach Holmstrom, an affiliated player, scored both goals for the Express.
Friday's victory was the first for the Warriors since a 5-2 decision over the Merritt Centennials to open the six game home stand two weeks ago.
"It was really important we came out, had a good effort and got a win. We talked about getting our identity back of who we are and how we want to play," added Ferster of his club, which dominated the Express in all phases of the game.
The Warriors outshot Coquitlam 41-27, a stat which was indicative of the flow of play.
Westside scored once in six chances on the power-play while the Express went 1-5, scoring in the final two minutes with a two-man advantage.
The Warriors will close out their home stand Saturday when they host the Spruce Kings in a true four point battle.
"They have two very skilled lines and some mobile defencemen so I think it will be a real good game in here," says Ferster of the Spruce Kings.
