Warriors Split the Weekend with Hard-Fought Win Over Spruce Grove
The West Kelowna Warriors came out with jump Saturday night, earning a key victory over the Spruce Grove Saints and splitting the weekend with a strong effort.
West Kelowna’s power play set the tone early. After a face-off breakdown in the Saints’ zone, Kelsen Podworny stepped off the boards, walked into the slot, and slid a shot five-hole to open the scoring and give the Warriors a 1–0 lead.
Between the pipes, Bor Glavic was sharp from the opening puck drop, turning aside a flurry of chances to preserve the Warriors’ advantage through the first period.
The Warriors wasted little time extending their lead in the second. Just 1:13 into the frame, Podworny struck again, ripping a shot high blocker off the rush for his second goal of the night and a 2–0 West Kelowna lead.
West Kelowna continued to push the pace and added another midway through the period. A point shot found traffic in front where Blake Burke got his stick on it, tipping the puck past the Saints goaltender for his 11th goal of the season to make it 3–0.
Spruce Grove responded late in the period when a strange bounce off the back boards landed perfectly for Scott Sandilands, who capitalized to get the Saints on the board.
The Saints pushed hard in the third period and made things interesting down the stretch. With the net empty and on the power play, Tre Peck found the back of the net to pull Spruce Grove within one and cut the lead to 3–2.
But that was as close as the Saints would get.
Glavic stood tall the rest of the way, shutting the door with several key saves as the Warriors held on for the victory. The netminder finished the night with an impressive 46 saves on 48 shots, earning second star of the game honours. Podworny’s two-goal performance earned him first star.
The Warriors now return home for their final home game of the regular season when they host the Victoria Grizzlies on Awards Night.
Be sure to come out and support the Warriors as they close out the regular season on home ice.
