Warriors Can't Overcome Vees' Early Outburst

The West Kelowna Warriors gave up three first-period goals and couldn't recover, falling 5-2 to the Penticton Vees in B.C. Hockey League play on Friday in the Peach City.

Tyson Jost got the home team on the board just 33 seconds into the game with a quick wrap around goal, and just over 10 minutes later, the Kelowna resident and former Okanagan Rocket, made it 2-0 with a quick snapper from the left circle for his 36th goal in 42 games.

The Warriors, who would have their winning streak broken at seven games, picked up their play as the first period progressed, but Scott Conway's marker 1:31 after the second Jost tally, sent the home crowd at the South Okanagan Events Centre back into a frenzy.

Bryan Basilico got the Warriors on the board in the second period by beating Anthony Brodeur from the sidewall to make it 3-1.

The Vees restored their three-goal lead on the powerplay, before Jonathan Desbiens did something only one other Warrior has done before.

After a puck was poked ahead from Liam Blackburn, Desbiens broke in alone on Brodeur and beat the Vees netminder, for his 40th goal of the season. Desbiens is now only one goal away from tying Trevor Bailey for the Warriors’ single-season goal-scoring record.

The Vees added an insurance in the third period when Chris Gerrie beat losing goaltender, Matthew Greenfield, who faced 34 shots on the night.

Penticton, the runaway winner in the Interior Division with 91 points, increased their lead over the second-place Warriors to 22 points. West Kelowna has a five-point lead on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, but have played two more games that the Shuswap-based team, which defeated Coquitlam 6-2 on Friday.

The Warriors are back in action Saturday night to take on the Langley Rivermen in their first home game since Jan. 26.

Puck drops at 7 p.m.