West Kelowna Warriors score comeback win in Penticton

PENTICTON – The West Kelowna Warriors stormed back in the third period to defeat the Penticton Vees 4-3 at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton Saturday night.

The tight checking affair early on remained scoreless until just over halfway through the first period, when Tyson Jost snapped one past Andy Desautels on a good play from Patrick Newell and Demico Hannoun.

Both goalies made some big saves to keep it the score 1-0 after the first period, but the Vees held an 8-5 edge in the shots on goal category.

Late in the second period, with just over 4 minutes remaining, the Vees would get a short power-play and Newell would get to the slot to slide one past the Warriors netminder for a 2-0 lead.

An early third period power-play for the Warriors would lead to their first goal of the game, as Greydon Robinson would shoot from the point and make it 2-1.

Shortly after, Kylar Hope back-handed a shot over the shoulder of Hunter Miska and make it a 2-2 tie.

The Warriors would take a lead at 16:51 when Jonathan Desbiens tipped the puck past Miska and off the post from Brayden Gelsinger for the 3-2 lead.

The Vees would not go away, as Riley Alferd got the tying goal with 1:40 to go in the final frame.

West Kelowna would not be done, as with 36.2 remaining, Gelsinger would deflect a high wrist shot past Miska, but the official would wave it off immediately due to a high stick. After getting together with the other officials on the ice, and a lengthy two minute conversation, the game officials agreed that it was actually below the crossbar, and the goal would stand, the Warriors coming away with the 4-3 victory.

The Warriors will now have six days off before opening a home and home with Salmon Arm on Friday at Royal Lepage Place.