Photo Credit/Cover Design: Lorne White/KelownaNowSpecial teams proved a misnomer for the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday in a 4-3 B.C. Hockey League loss to the visiting Coquitlam Express at Royal LePage Place.
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Playing their first game under new interim head coach Simon Ferguson, the host Warriors gave up goals on all three Express power-play opportunities while managing just one of their own on five tries.
Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowThe West Kelowna Warriors' Colby Elmer follows through on a shot in the first period against the visiting Coquitlam Express.But despite falling to a league-worst 7-24-5-2 record, the Warriors held their own against the BCHL’s first-overall Express (34-5) at even strength. The hosts fired 33 shots at Coquitlam goaltender Clay Stevenson while Brock Baier faced 36 shots in the West Kelowna goal.
Max Bulawka, with the Warriors’ team-leading 15th goal of the season, scored the lone goal of the first period while Wyatt Head sandwiched his first goal of the season between those of the Express’s Massimo Rizzo and Greg Lapointe in the middle frame.
Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowSpencer Hora, left, of the Warriors and Will Margel of the Express battle for the puck while flat on the ice in front of West Kelowna goaltender Brock Baier.It wasn’t until 12:16 of the third that Coquitlam broke the tie on Adam Trotman’s first of two power-play goals, the second — and game winner — coming three minutes later.
Lucas Cullen, with his eighth goal of the season got the Warriors to within a goal with 20 seconds remaining in the game.
Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowLucas Cullen looks for a linemate while skating down the right wing in the first period. Cullen scored his eighth goal of the season in the third period.Still hoping to earn a playoff spot despite their woeful record, the Warriors remain three points back of their modest goal because the Merritt Centennials (10-25-1-3) also lost on Friday, 6-3 to the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters.
The Warriors are back in action today when they take on the Chilliwack Chiefs in Chilliwack. They’ll get another chance to gain on the Centennials when they travel to Merritt on Friday.
Their next home game (6 p.m.) is Jan. 11, also against the Centennials at RLP.
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Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowInterim head coach Simon Ferguson made his BCHL debut behind the Warriors' bench on Friday.
Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowDeegan Mofford of the Warriors about to pass the puck out of the West Kelowna zone.
Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowJacob Brockman of the Warriors watches Clay Stevenson of the Express make one of his 30 saves.
Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowColby Elmer goes one-on-one against Coquitlam's Steven Bellini.
Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowDeegan Mofford of the Warriors and Ethan O'Rourke of the Express hover around the Express net.Photo Gallery (69 photos) on KelownaNowSports Facebook page
