West Kelowna Warriors edge Grizzlies in OT

WEST KELOWNA – It wasn't pretty, but the West Kelowna Warriors picked up two points against the Victoria Grizzlies with a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday night.

With most of the players parents in attendance, it was the Grizzlies who stole the show early, as Dane Gibson scored a Datsyuk-like goal with one hand on his stick just 1:46 in.

Jake Emilio added a power-play marker in the final minute of the frame, and for the Grizzlies, it was a needed lead after 20 minutes, one night after falling 10-4 to Trail.

The Warriors power-play was the story in the second period, but not for the good, as it went 0-6 through 40 minutes, including an extended 5-on-3.  The early part of the third period was more of the same as a 3:45 5-on-3 continued to start the frame, yet the Warriors couldn't capitalize.

Penalties were the story in the 2nd period, as both Chris Harpur (Checking from behind) and Gibson (Check to the Head) were thrown out for Victoria.

Jordan Masters, who was the one hit from behind, got the Warriors on the board in the third period at 13:33, getting the puck past Sean Clearly to make it 2-1.

Then with Andy Desautels on the bench, Jonathan Desbiens banged home the tying goal with just 20 seconds remaining.

The Warriors, in overtime for the fourth straight game, and seven of the last 11, would get a 2-on11 just three minutes into the 4-on-4 session, and Andrew Johnson looked off Liam Blackburn and snapped the game winning goal home.

The Warriors have gotten at least one point in their last 11 games (7-0-0-4), and are 3-for-4 in overtime in that stretch.

They return to Royal Lepage Place on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to face Langley.