(Photo Credit: Greystoke Photography)
Though the West Kelowna Warriors started off strong, they ultimately fell to the hosting Vernon Vipers 6-3 on Friday night.
The Warriors started off the scoring in the middle of the first period with Liam Blackburn's 15th goal of the season, this one from his own rebound. The assists went to Andrew Johnson and Jason Cotton. Though the Vipers struck back hard in the last five minutes of the first, Warriors goalie Andy Desautels stood his ground to keep the 1-0 lead.
Josh Bly scored the Warriors' second goal of the night in the second with a deflection under the crossbar, making it 2-0. However, the Vipers fought back with a 5 on 3 power play to make it 2-1 with a goal from Thomas Aldworth. Soon after, the Warriors had their own power play goal, keeping their two goal lead at 3-1.
(Photo Credit: Greystoke Photography)
The game went downhill for the Warriors from there. Only a minute and a half after the Warriors' power play goal, Aldworth smacked a big rebound past Desautels to make it 3-2. In all, the second period had seven power plays, including three instances of 5 on 3 action.
The Vipers had control for the third period, with a hat-trick for Aldworth, two goals that were 39 seconds apart by Blaine Caton and Liam Finlay, and an empty net goal for Luke Voltin. With only eight minutes left, tempers flared up in the crease, finishing off the nights for some with roughing minors and misconducts. The game finished 6-3 for Vernon, with the Vipers outshooting the Warriors 37-30.
The Warriors will host the Powell River Kings on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
(Photo Credit: Greystoke Photography)
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