PREVIEW: Warriors @ Nanaimo

The Warriors open up their island road trip with a game against the Island Division leading Nanaimo Clippers. The Clippers, who the Warriors beat at the BCHL Showcase, have been on a tear lately, winning their last 6 games, and 10 of their last 11. The Nanaimo team has the most goals for in the BCHL with 57, and has the 3rd best differential at +15.

The West Kelowna Warriors have fallen in their last 4 games, the 2nd longest streak in the BCHL currently. The Warriors have played well on the road, only dropping a pair of games in the first five, one in OT to Merritt and a late loss to Penticton at the SOEC. 

The Warriors top line of Jason Cotton, Liam Blackburn, and Michael Buonincontri have been coming together as a unit over the past two games, as they combined for 15 points last weekend against Merritt and Vernon. They were responsible for 6 of the last 8 goals.

Game Notes:

Nanaimo – 10-3 1st in Island Division (20 Pts) HOME – 5-1-0-0  ROAD – 5-2-0-0  Top Scorer– Sheldon Rempal(9G,8A) GF – 57 GA – 42 PP – 9th – 22% (13 for 59) PK – 9th – 77.8% (42 for 54)

West Kelowna – 5-5-0-1 6th in Interior Division (11 Pts) HOME – 2-4-0-0 ROAD – 3-1-0-1 Top Scorer – Liam Blackburn (8 G, 14 A) GF – 41 GA – 42 PP – 7th – 23.8% (15 for 63) PK – 5th – 80.7% (46 for 57) Next Game – Oct 25th @ Cowichan – 7:00 PM – Island Savings Center

Head-to-Head Lifetime – West Kelowna leads 8-6-1 2013/2014 Head to Head – Season Series Split 1-1-1 This Season Head to Head September 21st – West Kelowna defeats Nanaimo – 7-6 -      A back and forth affair at the BCHL Showcase saw the lead change hands 3 times and Special Teams play a huge role with 5 total Powerplay goals. The Warriors were lead on offense by Liam Blackburn (2+2), and Jason Cotton (2+1). Kade Kehoe, Kylar Hope, and Ryan Ivey also scored. For the Clippers, it was Jacob Jackson with 2 goals, as well as Kale Bennett, Brett Roulston, Corey Renwick, and Devin Brosseau with the others.