Connor Dempsey had a three-point night and Dwayne Rodrigue registered his first BC Hockey League shutout Friday as the Westside Warriors dumped visiting Salmon Arm 4-0 before nearly 1,400 fans at Royal LePage Place.
The Warriors new top line of Dempsey, Marcus Basara and David Pope combined for six points and seemed to have the puck on a string for most of the night in leading the Warriors to their first goose-egg of the season.
"We played real well tonight. We've played with each other I think for four or five games now and we're starting to find some chemistry," says Basara who had a goal and an assist.
"It's coming and it feels good. It makes the game a lot easier and a lot more fun when you have chemistry and that's what we're finding on our line."
Sixteen year-old ‘AP’ Adam Plant ignited the crowd when he scored his first BCHL, and newly-minted Captain Max French also scored for the Warriors. Seb Lloyd also picked up an assist in his first game back after missing 25 games with a shoulder injury.
The Warriors were playing their first game since re-tooling their blueline at Tuesday's trade deadline.
Mathew Berry, who arrived at the rink just three hours before game-time after being released by Prince Albert of the Western League and Curtis Toneff, obtained in a deal with Battlefords, both made their Warriors debut Friday.
All three were impressive with their poise and ability to make a good, crisp first pass out of the defensive zone.
"That's so important and it's funny you noticed that because when you can make that first pass out of your own end it makes the game so much easier," says coach Rylan Ferster.
"We want to be a first time out team. If it's tape to tape that's fine or if it's off the glass and out but I thought our guys did a good job tape to tape tonight."
The team also looked to be more relaxed on the ice, something Ferster says could be tied to the passing of the trade deadline.
"After the 10th I think everybody breathes a sigh of relief and, I do as well. Leading up to it it is stressful and certainly where we were I think a lot of guys were wondering if they were going or if they were staying," says Ferster.
"It's now kind of a mentality of it's us against the world and let's go get them. We're in this together and guys have to realize they are not only playing for their jobs this year but for next year."
Friday night was also the Warriors third annual 'Faith Night' which brought together parishioners from 10 churches in the Central Okanagan.
The game followed the 'Good Will Toward Men' theme in the first two periods as the teams combined for just three minor penalties.
However, the players seemed to forget to 'Turn The Other Cheek' in the third, amassing 146 penalty minutes which included five fights, two misconducts and six game misconducts.
With the teams playing four-on-four with a little more than six minutes left in the game, everyone on the ice became involved in a donnybrook which resulted in four ejections and likely some suspensions.
Another fight near the end of the game between Josh Monk of the Warriors and Alex Gillies of Salmon Arm could also result in suspensions.
"I think both teams were into it and passionate. It was a big game, it was for sixth place and we play them again on Sunday," added Ferster.
"I'm sure it will over into Sunday as well."
Along with the possible punitive measures, the Warriors will likely have to play the foreseeable future without rugged forward Brett McKinnon.
McKinnon left the game in the second period favouring his shoulder after falling awkwardly into the end boards.
Friday's win was the Warriors second in a row coming on the heels on Sunday's 10-2 pounding of the Victoria Grizzlies.
The Warriors, now sixth in the Interior Conference, will get another crack at the Silverbacks when the clubs meet Sunday afternoon, 2:30 at Royal LePage Place.
Westside is five points behind fifth place Vernon and 10 points out of a playoff spot. Chilliwack currently holds down the fourth and final playoff berth in the Interior Conference.
Visit The General’s Report for continuing coverage of the Westside Warriors.
