West Kelowna Warriors edged by visiting Silverbacks

WEST KELOWNA – The West Kelowna Warriors knew they were up against a pretty good goalie, and Angus Redmond proved it with 42 saves in a 4-3 Salmon Arm Silverbacks victory over the Warriors Friday night, Oct. 16, at Royal Lepage Place.

Salmon Arm opened the scoring on a backdoor passing play late in the first period as Marcus Mitchell tapped it in from a cross crease pass by Colton Thibault.

The Silverbacks controlled the play in the frame, out-shooting the Warriors 16-10 in the first 20 minutes.

Salmon Arm jumped ahead to a 2-0 lead just 1:22 into the second period, as Thibault got his stick on a Cam Trott point shot and deflected it over Stephen Heslop.

The Warriors found themselves down 3-0 at 7:26 when Michael Winnitoy beat Heslop from long range.

The momentum of the hockey game changed at that moment, as the Silverbacks lead 20-15 on the shot clock and looked comfortable with a three-goal lead.

West Kelowna got on the board as Rylan Yaremko's point shot went top corner as Redmond struggled to see the puck through a screen.

Special Teams became the focus late in the frame, as Garrett Forster beat Redmond short side to get the Warriors within one.

The Warriors got a five-on-three advantage in the final two minutes, but the period ended with the Warriors out-shooting Salmon Arm 19-5 in the frame.

Chase Zieky would put the 'Backs ahead 4-2 on a three-on-one when he tapped one into an open net.

The Warriors would again score on the power play just four seconds into it, as Jonathan Desbiens made it 4-3 at 9:47.

Redmond stood tall down the stretch, making 15 saves in the frame to earn first star honours.

The Warriors out-shot Salmon Arm 30-3 after the Silverbacks made it 3-0.

West Kelowna will take on the Prince George Spruce Kings Saturday night at Royal Lepage Place, as the Spruce Kings finish up a three-games in three-nights road trip through the Interior.