Tuesday 30 September 2014

GAME PREVIEW - Express vs. Warriors - September 30th

The West Kelowna Warriors head into Coquitlam tonight to take on the Express in a mid-week match-up. This is the 1st of 10 Tuesday night games this season for the Warriors. They will play 2 Wednesday's as well throughout the year, one in Penticton, and one in Vernon.

The Warriors will look to make it 2 wins in a row, and knock off Express for the 2nd time this season. West Kelowna defeated Coquitlam 6-2 at the BCHL Showcase on September 19th.  Greydon Robinson and Jonathon Desbiens each had their 1st BCHL goals in that one, while Liam Blackburn scored twice. Jason Cotton and Brett Mennear added the others and Scott Patton picked up the win in goal.

Here are the stats:


Coquitlam – 1-3-0-0

4th in Mainland Division (2 Pts)

HOME – 1-2-0-0 
ROAD – 0-1-0-0 

Top Scorer – Corey Mackin (2G, 2A)

GF – 11
GA – 21

PP – 2nd – 31.82% (7 for 22)
PK – 16th – 57.14% (12 for 21)

Next Game – Oct 3 vs Langley
West Kelowna – 3-1-0-0

3rd in Interior Division (6 Pts)

HOME – 1-1-0-0
ROAD – 2-0-0-0

Top Scorer – Liam Blackburn (5G,3A)

GF – 18
GA – 12

PP – 6th – 25.93% (7 for 27)
PK – 5th – 83.33% (20 for 24)

Next Game – Oct 4th vs Merritt – 7:00 PM – Royal Lepage Place
Head-to-Head Lifetime – West Kelowna leads 10-4-0-1
2013/2014 Head to Head – West Kelowna sweeps 2-0

Saturday 27 September 2014

Desautels Shuts out Vipers

One night after the Vernon Vipers spoiled the West Kelowna home opener, the Warriors returned the favor knocking off the Snakes by a 4-0 score.


West Kelowna got a pair of 1st period goals from Jordan Masters including one on the Powerplay to give the Tribe a 2-0 lead after 1. Masters was making up for a 4 minute high sticking penalty in the period, as he put his 1st one by Danny Todosychuk after coming out of the box. Jason Cotton got the puck to the front of the goal and Masters was able to knock it in. 

The Vipers had controlled the majority of the play and West Kelowna was pretty lucky to escape the Masters penalty without giving up a goal after a couple key giveaways. Vernon outshot the Warriors 14-10 in the first 20 minutes, but Andy Desautels was extremely sharp making some big stops.

Early on in Period 2, Brett Mennear tipped a Mac Ferner point shot past Todosych making it 3-0, then Kylar Hope would round out the scoring after taking a perfectly placed shot off the end boards from Kristian Blumenschein and banging it to the yawning cage. West Kelowna took control in the period thanks to 4 straight Powerplays, out shooting Vernon 20-7.

The 3rd period looked a little like last night's 2nd period, as there would be no scoring, shots were 9-3 for Vernon. 

Halfway thru the 3rd period, Desautels took a slapshot off the mask and immediately fell forward and got his helmet off. Mike Bois came out to check on him, learning that the shot had somehow broken Desautels front tooth right in half and cut his upper lip. Not exactly looking like Bobby Clarke, but close enough, he would remain in the game and finish off his 30 save shutout.

According to  "Dezzy" as he's known around the room, there was no way he was coming out. "I wasn't going to let anyone take me out, even though the refs wanted me out because of the blood.  10 minutes away from a shut out I wasn't going anywhere" he said.

Next up for the Warriors is a date with the Coquitlam Express on Tuesday, and Brent Gough expects a different game than the first one at the BCHL Showcase.

"They'll be a lot more prepared and ready to go with more games under their belt. I like that we can get right back at it after a complete effort as a team tonight."

Tuesday's game will be available on 95.1 FM WDCR and online at www.WDCR.ca and www.bchl.fasthockey.com with a subscription.

GAME PREVIEW - September 27th Warriors vs Vipers

The West Kelowna Warriors will look to split the home and home series with Vernon after a 4-1 loss at Royal Lepage Place last night. Listen Live at 95.1 FM WDCR or online at www.wdcr.ca. You can also watch all the action on www.bchl.fasthockey.com with subscription

NOTE: Tonight's Game is at 6:00 PM at Kal Tire Place, pre-game show at 5:45

Vernon – 2-0-0-1

2nd in Interior Division (5 Pts)

HOME – 0-0-0-0 
ROAD – 1-0-0-0 

Top Scorer – Anthony Latina (2G, 2A)

GF – 10
GA – 6

PP – 16th - 5.0% (1 for 20)
PK – 9th – 80.0% (12 for 15)
Returning Players: 5
Playoffs: Lost BCHL Final 4-0 to Coquitlam
Next Game – Sept 28 vs Langley
West Kelowna – 2-1-0-0

5th in Interior Division (4 Pts)

HOME – 0-1-0-0
ROAD – 0-0-0-0
Top Scorer – Liam Blackburn (5G, 2A)

GF – 14
GA – 12

PP – 7th – 25.0% (5 for 20)
PK – 11th – 75% (12 for 16)
Returning Players: 9
Playoffs: Lost 1st Round 4-2 to Vernon
Next Game – Sept 30th @ Coquitlam – 7:30 PM - Poirier Sports Center
Head-to-Head Lifetime – West Kelowna leads 25-21-2-6
2013/2014 Head to Head – Vernon won season series 4-2-1

Vernon 4 West Kelowna 1



RECAP: The West Kelowna Warriors dropped their 1st game of the season, as they fell 4-1 to the Vernon Vipers in front of 1,212 fans at Royal Lepage Place.

After a touching ceremony and introduction of the firefighters and 1st responders of the Smith Creek fire this summer, Vernon’s legs weren’t affected at all as Mackenzie Bauer got the Vipers on the board at 1:07. Then at 4:52, Mitchell Oliver would make it 2-0 on a shot through traffic that beat Andy Desautels in the same spot as the 1st one. 

The Warriors were guilty of too many turnovers early on, and as the period progressed, they increased the pressure. At 17:24 on the Powerplay Liam Blackburn would bury his 5th of the season, jamming one past the pad of Danny Todosychuk. 

First period shots were 12-12

There would be no scoring in the 2nd as the Dezzy show began on a 5 on 3 advantage for the Vipers. Desautels made many big saves, as Vernon put 7-10 shots on the Warriors netminder on that powerplay. The Vipers would end up out shooting West Kelowna 20-5 in the period.

The 3rd would start with a tripping penalty to Kristian Blumenschein, and with 1 second left on the PP, Ryley Booth would make it 3-1 as his point shot found its way through. 

The Warriors established pressure throughout the 3rd but Todosychuk stood strong and made some good saves, while the Warriors hit a goalpost and missed a couple opportunities in tight. 

The best part of the BCHL Schedule is that West Kelowna is right back at it Saturday in Vernon, and will get a chance at redemption right away with the Vipers.

Game Thoughts:
 - West Kelowna had turnover troubles early on and it cost them a goal or two. A bad bounce maybe on 1 of them lead to it, but not much care with the puck in the 1st 10 minutes.

-Physical play definitely was apparent throughout this one, including 1 fight between Rylan Yaremko and Anthony Latina. It appeared throughout the game that Latina was getting under the skin of Warriors players, this following an incident in the 1st where he headed to the bench clutching his mouth, but was okay enough to yap at the Warriors bench on the way by. 

-The other issue with the fighting scenario was Liam Blackburn had a chance in tight, the whistle went and everyone paired off in the rough stuff after the whistle. This is the issue with the 1-fight and you're out rule, as there is a ton of post whistle activity. In this scenario, with the d-men at the points and West Kelowna about to make a change, was that Latina engaged Yaremko at the blue line and by the time the gloves came off there were 6 Vipers and 7 Warriors on the ice. Mac Ferner was ejected for leaving the bench to join an altercation according to the scoresheet post-game.

-Not the ending Ferner wanted to his night i'm sure, as for the first time ever, his dad was on the opposition bench coaching. I didn't get into the details too much, but not entirely sure if Mark Ferner coached Mac growing up at all with the exception of all the post-game car rides that broke down almost every shift from the game.

-Saturday night's game in Vernon should be a fun one, as the Vipers will have their ceremonies and Opener fun, and the rivalry should kick off immediately after. Make the drive to Vernon for this one if you can, it's a 6:00 pm start, a new Saturday time for the Vipers as they try to entice families. 

-If you cannot make the trip, i'll have the action on Fast Hockey, also on 95.1 FM WDCR or online at WDCR.ca

-Follow our Twitter Account at @BCHLWarriors or myself at @WestKVoice. I am constantly trying to improve my tweeting/broadcasting simultaneously abilities, so we'll keep working at keeping fans up to date that cannot tune in.




Friday 26 September 2014

GAME PREVIEW - Warriors vs. Vernon September 26th

The 2014/2015 Home Opener for the West Kelowna Warriors goes tonight at Royal Lepage Place. You can get your tickets for the game between 9-4 at the Warriors office, or at the box office starting at 6 pm. It is Firefighter Appreciation night at the arena, so you don't want to miss out on your chance to honor all of the brave men and women who helped fight this summer's forest fires. If you were an evacuee of the Smith Creek Fire, bring your ID to the office today between 9-4, and you can get a FREE ticket to tonight's game thanks to Tim Horton's.

If you can't be at the game, watch online at www.bchl.fasthockey.com or tune in at 95.1 FM WDCR or online at www.WDCR.ca 

Here is the statistical breakdown for tonight's game.

Vernon – 1-0-0-1

5th in Interior Division (3 Pts)

HOME – 17-6-3-3 (2013/2014)
ROAD – 13-12-1-3 (2013/2014)

Top Scorer – Michael McNicholas –
 69 Pts (2013-2014)

GF – 6
GA – 5

PP – 16th - 0.0%
PK – 10th – 77.8%

Returning Players: 5

Playoffs: Lost BCHL Final 4-0 to Coquitlam

Next Game – Sept 27 vs West Kelowna
West Kelowna – 2-0-0-0

3rd in Interior Division (4 Pts)

HOME – 17-11-1-0 (2013/2014)
ROAD – 18-4-2-5 (2013/2014)

Top Scorer – Seb Lloyd – 62 Pts (2013-2014)

GF – 13
GA – 8

PP – 4th – 27.8%
PK – 12th – 70%(2013/2014)

Returning Players: 9

Playoffs: Lost 1st Round 4-2 to Vernon

Next Game – Sept 27 @ Vernon – 6:00 PM Kal Tire Place
Head-to-Head Lifetime – West Kelowna leads 25-20-2-6
2013/2014 Head to Head – Vernon won season series 4-2-1

Saturday 20 September 2014

GAME PREVIEW - Clippers vs. Warriors - BCHL Showcase

My apologies for the lack of game recap after Friday Night's 6-2 win over Coquitlam. The lack of internet in the Secondary arena and the life on the road worked against me. We will continue to work on post-game stories as the season progresses. - Kyle Anderson

Below is the Statistical Breakdown for Sunday's game vs. Nanaimo

Nanaimo – 0-1-0-0

3rd in Island Division (0 Pts)

HOME – 14-14-0-1 (2013/2014)
ROAD – 13-14-1-1 (2013/2014)

Top Scorer – Brendan Taylor - 55 Pts (2013-2014)

GF – 176 (2013/2014)
GA – 172 (2013/2014)

PP – 7th – 19.17% (2013/2014)
PK – 6th – 82.50% (2013/2014)

Returning Players: 11

Playoffs: Lost 1st Round 4-1 to Powell River

Next Game – Sept 26 vs Powell River 

West Kelowna – 1-0-0-0

3rd in Interior Division (2 Pts)

HOME – 17-11-1-0 (2013/2014)
ROAD – 18-4-2-5 (2013/2014)

Top Scorer – Seb Lloyd (2013-2014)

GF – 225 (2013/2014)
GA – 173 (2013/2014)

PP – 5th – 19.29% (2013/2014)
PK – 15th – 77.73% (2013/2014)

Returning Players: 9

Playoffs: Lost 1st Round 4-2 to Vernon

Next Game – Sept 26 vs. Vernon – 7:00 PM HOME OPENER!
Head-to-Head Lifetime – West Kelowna leads 8-6-1
2013/2014 Head to Head – Series Tied 1-1-1
NOTE: Nanaimo beat West Kelowna 6-5 in the 2013 Showcase