Photo: #20 Matt Stienburg scored his 1st BCHL goal Saturday night and added an assist in the Warriors 3-2 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography

The West Kelowna Warriors win 3-2 and  split the weekend set with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

The West Kelowna Warriors came into their last game of the first half of the Okanagan Cup looking to end a three game losing streak. They were able to get a jump on that task early thanks to Felix Trudeau’s 3rd goal of the pre-season tournament.

The Silverbacks would get on the board in the opening minutes of the second when a point shot saved by Johnny Derrick would find its way on the stick of Sam Schofield. Less than a minute later, Colorado Avalanche prospect Matthew Stienburg would score his first in Warriors colours. Stienburg would redirect a pass from Nick Ardanaz past netminder Riley Kohonick to restore the Warriors one goal lead.

In the third the Silverbacks would once again draw even. After being denied on a shorthanded breakaway moments earlier, Drew Bennett would pick the puck up and tuck it past Johnny Derrick. Reluctant to drop a fourth consecutive contest the Warriors went to work. Deegan Mofford and John Evans connected on a play similar to that of Stienburg and Ardanaz’s. The result was Mofford registering his 3rd goal of the Okanagan cup in what proved to be the game winner.

With the victory the Warriors wrapped up their first half of the Okanagan Cup with a 3-2-0-1 record and sole position of second place. Evans leads the team in points with 2 goals and 7 assists. In their three road games of the tournament, the Warriors are yet to concede a shorthanded goal on the road.

The second half of the Okanagan Cup will begin next Friday when the Warriors face the Penticton Vees for the third time. Puck Drop will 7:00pm from Royal Lepage Place. The game will be broadcasted on both HockeyTV and the Warriors MixIr Network. A reminder that no fans will be allowed in Royal Lepage Place.