A three point effort by Marcus Joughin powered the West Kelowna Warriors to a 4-2 win over the Vernon Vipers.
Playing their second afternoon game in as many days the West Kelowna Warriors were greeted by a rested Vernon Vipers team. The Vipers opened the scoring on a goal from Tyler Carpendale. Carpendale would enter the zone on his own in the midst of a Warriors’ line change. He was able to skate to the top of the faceoff circle uncontested and his wrist shot eluded goaltender Zach Bennett. The Warriors’ answer came in the final stages of the opening frame. Marcus Joughin’s second of the pod season, a wrister from the high slot, evened the score sending the teams into the first intermission locked 1-1.
In the second, The Warriors took their first lead of the afternoon. Tyler Cristall converted off a rebound generated after Joughin’s shot was mishandled by Vipers’ starter Roan Clarke. The Warriors’ lead was erased after Carpendale netted his 2nd of the game. He skated onto a loose puck, drove wide, then drove to the net sending the puck into the top corner. The back-and-forth period continued as the Warriors cashed in on the powerplay. Tyson Jugnauth received the puck up high and made his way between the face off circles before wristing home the go ahead goal. Jugnauth’s 1st of the BCHL pod season gave the Warriors their 1st lead after forty minutes of play.
The Warriors then carried the momentum into the 3rd period. A strong forecheck by Porter Dawson caused a turnover. Carter Wilkie extended the lead as he was on the receiving end of a fantastic passing play between Dawson and Dylan Brooks. The Vipers had their chances to cut the lead, including a penalty shot opportunity. That attempt was turned away by Bennett who made a highlight reel save to keep the Warriors’ lead at 4-2 with under three minutes to play. That score held true and West Kelowna handed the Vipers their first loss of the BCHL Pod season.
West Kelowna resumes their abbreviated season on Sunday, April 11th. A 4:00pm start against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. In the two previous meetings between the two teams, West Kelowna holds a 1-0-1 record. Tune into the action on BCHLTV (formally HockeyTV)