Visiting Vipers double up on West Kelowna Warriors

WEST KELOWNA – As the old adage goes, the worst lead in hockey is a 2-0 lead.

The West Kelowna Warriors squandered one Friday in a 6-3 loss in Vernon and again Saturday before rallying for a 6-4 win over the visiting Powell River Kings at Royal LePage Place.

Powell River erased a 2-0 deficit with three goals in a three minute and 32 second span early in the second to erase the deficit and squeeze in front by a goal.

The lead last all of 12 seconds as Liam Blackburn fired a one-timer from the left circle past Stefan Woring to tie it 3-3.

Blackburn set-up linemate Andrew Johnson six minutes later then scored the eventual game winner on a power-play 12 seconds into the third to power the Warriors to the win.

The win keeps the Warriors a point up on Merritt and five clear of Salmon Arm in the race for third, fourth and fifth in the tight Interior Division.

Merritt holds three games in hand while Salmon Arm has played two fewer games.

The Warriors try to make it two in a row when they entertain the Interior Division leading Penticton Vees Tuesday, Jan. 20.