The West Kelowna Warriors rough start on the penalty kill leads to a 5-1 Trail Smoke Eaters victory Saturday night.
The Warriors got off to a rough start to the hockey game finding themselves in the penalty box leading to not one, not two, but three power play goals from the Trail Smoke Eaters. First, under six minutes into the game Diarmad DiMurro would place a wrist shot through traffic and in to make it 1-0 Smoke Eaters. The Smoke Eaters would go back on the power play midway through the period allowing that top power play unit to go back to work. Only 8 seconds into the Smoke Eaters man advantage Tyler Ghirardosi would tap in his 2nd of the year past Brock Baier to extend the lead to two. Only 4 minutes later the Smoke Eaters would go back on the power play. That’s where Owen Ozar would fire a sharp angle shot passed Brock Baier and in to make it 3-0 Smoke Eaters. The Warriors would add a key goal late in the first after Levi Stauber stole the puck in the Smoke Eaters zone allowing Brandon Dent to score his 4th of the season to make it 3-1 heading into the dressing room. Shots 16-12 Warriors after one.
Warriors started the second frame on the power play but couldn’t cash in. Minutes later the Smoke Eaters would go hard to the net allowing Diarmad DiMurro to score his second of the hockey game restoring the three goal lead for the Smoke Eaters. Shots on goal 26-25 Smoke Eaters after two periods of play.
Smoke Eaters would control play for the remainder of the hockey game and wouldn’t allow the Warriors to create any quality scoring opportunities. Warriors defender Ryan Novecosky would take a penalty midway through the third period leading to Tyler Ghirardosi scoring his second of the night and the dagger making it 5-1 which would be the final. Shots on goal: 34-34.