West Kelowna Warriors down Smokies

TRAIL – The West Kelowna Warriors kept pace with Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the BCHL standings with a 4-2 win over the Smoke Eaters in Trail on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Jonathan Desbiens opened the scoring on a great move in tight, going short side on Brett Clark while the two teams played four-on-four for the second time in the first 11 minutes.

There were six power plays in the opening period as the Warriors worked on their third man advantage when the buzzer sounded. Shots were 8-7 for Trail in the first 20 minutes.

There would be no penalties called in the second period, as the refs allowed the teams to play showing the speed and talent of both teams throughout the frame.

With just over five minutes to go in the period, Nick Rutigliano attempted to clear the puck and hit an odd spot on the boards just inside the zone, bouncing right back to Max Newton who fired one past Scott Patton to tie the game up at one.

Unlike last Friday when the Warriors allowed four quick goals in the second to Trail, West Kelowna got a bounce of their own and it would be Rutigliano’s stick that it would end up on. His slap shot from the point eluded Brett Clark for a 2-1 lead heading to the final period.

The Smoke Eaters would come out strong in the final frame as Harlan Orr scored 55 seconds into the period to tie the game up at two each.

Five minutes after the tying goal by Trail, Desbiens would get his second of the night after some hard work from Brayden Gelsinger to get the puck to the net.

From there, the Warriors committed to blocking shots and Patton was there when the Warriors needed him, as he made 30 saves for the win.

Warriors action resumes Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Royal Lepage Place when they will play the rematch against Trail, trying to get one of those final two playoff spots.