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WEEKEND PREVIEW: WARRIORS AND VIPERS BEGIN ROUND 1 OF PLAYOFFS

Photo: #14 John Evans looks to continue his success against the Vernon Vipers in April

Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photos

April 1st, 2022

WEST KELOWNA, B.C. –  The West Kelowna Warriors begin round 1 of the BCHL Playoffs when they host games #1 & #2 against the Vernon Vipers.

Heading into the playoffs the Warriors come into the playoffs the hottest team in the BC Hockey League. They’ve set a franchise record winning 10 in a row. During that stretch the Warriors got some incredible play out of John Evans, Nick Ardanaz and Christophe Farmer. Evans was named 3rd star of the month after recording 16 points in 11 games. Ardanaz finished his best career month with 12 points in only 11 games played on the back end. Finally, Farmer finished the month of March with 15 points in only 9 games played. The Warriors special teams has also drastically improved with 37% success on the powerplay and 96% on the penalty kill.

GAME #1  Friday April 1st VS Vernon Vipers (0-0):  7:00pm  (Best of 7 Series Tied at 0-0)

GAME #2  Saturday April 2nd VS Vernon Vipers (0-0):   7:00pm

Tonight begins the most important stretch of hockey of the year for the Warriors. They get the matchup they are looking for in the Vernon Vipers. Less travel is a big plus but more importantly the Warriors only lost one game to the Vipers during the regular season, but if history shows anything the Vernon Vipers elevate their play against the Warriors during the Playoffs. Even with different coaching staff’s and different rosters the Vernon Vipers identity of a rough and structured play style in the post season has never changed. In fact the Vipers are coming into this post season as the runner ups for the Fred Page Cup back when they took the Prince George Spruce Kings to the end. The Warriors were able to best the Vipers during this season with their skill and speed up front but if the Vipers manage to slow them down we could see a different looking series in the post season as compared to the regular season. Another big matchup are the two goaltenders Roan Clarke and Johnny Derrick. Both goalies are receiving looks from NCAA scouts and coaches as the two top non-committed goaltenders in the BC Hockey League. Derrick won their last two matchups and is hoping both his team in front of him will help continue his success versus the Vipers.

This game broadcast will be available on the Shaw Spotlight Channel, BCHLTV(formally HockeyTV) and the Warriors Mixlr Radio Network. Puck drop at 7:00pm from Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna. Tickets available at Westkelownawarriors.ca. We would like to ask fans to order your tickets online as the box office is expected to have a long lineup in between the hours of 6-7pm. We want to welcome our Presenting Sponsor of the Post Season, London Drugs.

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