The West Kelowna Warriors and Penticton Vees exciting finish still wasn’t enough as the Warriors lose 3-2 at home.
The Warriors came out of the gate with a lot of energy forcing play into the Vees zone for more than half the period. First scoring chance came to Brendan Pigeon shorthanded where he skated off on a breakaway but the former Seattle Thunderbird Carl Stankowski made an outstanding save to keep it scoreless.
Late in the period the Vees would go on another power play and yet again Pigeon would have a chance at a shorthanded goal but Stankowski stood tall again making another great save. Warriors would escape the period outshooting the Vees 9-7 after one period.
The Vees got off to a hot start in the second frame with an early goal from Jackson Niedermayer to make it 1-0.
It would only take two minutes for the Warriors to storm back with Nick Ardanaz starting a rush into the Vees zone finding Tyler Cristall who then dropped it to his trailer John Evans beating Stankowski to tie it up at one.
The Vees would take over for the remainder of the period spending almost the entire time in the Warriors zone. Johnny Derrick would make numerous goal-saving stops to keep it tied.
After the midway mark of the period, Ethan Martini would fire a lead pass up top to Danny Weight who dropped it to Jackson Niedermayer who then stormed the Warriors net beating Johnny Derrick to take a 2-1 lead.
The shots on goal in the second period alone were 19-4 in favor of the Vees.
It wasn’t the start the Warriors were looking for in the third with the Vees buzzing in the attacking zone. Some quick puck movement led to Liam Malmquist cleaning up the garbage near the crease to extend the Vees lead to 3-1.
The Warriors would need a push in the final 14 minutes of the third and they got it with a power play opportunity. After Nick Ardanaz was able to keep the puck in at the point, John Evans would find an open Tyler Cristall who would net his 7th of the season to cut the lead to one.
The Warriors would pressure the Vees throughout the remainder of the period but it wouldn’t be enough after Vees goaltender Carl Stankowski was able to make some clutch saves in the final three minutes of the game.
Final score 3-2 Vees. Final shots on goal: 35-20 in favor of the Vees
Three Stars:
- PEN F Jackson Niedermayer (2G)
- WKW F Tyler Cristall (1G-1A)
- PEN F Danny Weight (2A)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game: WKW Nick Ardanaz
Photo credit: Tami Quan Photography
The Warriors next game is next Friday versus the Trail Smoke Eaters. Puck drop 7:00pm from Cominco Arena in Trail. This game will be streamed on Hockey TV and will be broadcast on the Warriors radio network on Mixlr.
