Warriors hope trade replaces offence
Lombardi coming to West Kelowna after Kowalski sidelined
The Warriors are hoping a change of scenery will spark some offence.
West Kelowna acquired forward Michael Lombardi from the Chilliwack Chiefs in exchange for future considerations on Wednesday in the B.C. Hockey League.
Lombardi, 19, had two goals and five points to go along with six penalty minutes in 13 games with the Chiefs this season.
The Barrington, Rhode Island, native previously spent three seasons with Kimball Union Academy before heading to Chilliwack.
He scored 34 goals and 90 points in 106 career games in the United States High School league.
Warriors head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster said he likes the offensive depth Lombardi brings.
“We are very pleased to add a player like Michael to our program,” Ferster said. “He’s a great talent that will add nice offensive touch to our forward core.”
The five-11, 175-pound forward is committed to the University of Quinnipiac Bobcats for the 2018-19 season.
In a corresponding move, the Warriors placed forward Matt Kowalski on injured reserve. The Vernon native collected five goals and 10 points in 12 games this season before suffering an injury on Friday night against the Wenatchee Wild. His timetable for a return to the lineup is unknown.
WARRIORS 5, RIVERMEN 2 The Warriors survived a penalty filled contest and got two goals from Chase Dubois in a 5-2 victory over the Langley Rivermen on Tuesday night at Royal LePage Place.
The first period didn’t see a goal for either team as the goaltenders were the stars of the opening frame. Warriors netminder Nik Amundrud turned aside 12 shots while Rivermen goaltender Braedon Fleming stopped all 11 shots thrown his way.
After allowing Langley a 1-0 lead midway through the game, the Warriors responded quickly.
R.J. Murphy tied it shortly after Langley’s first. He was followed 48 seconds later by Dubois, whose forehand-backhand deke made it 2-1.
Bennett Norlin helped extend the lead early in the third, chipping the puck into the offensive zone and centering from behind the goal line. Cavin Tilsley tipped the puck for Jared Marino at the top of the crease as he roofed a shot over Fleming.
Dubois and Peter Tomaras each scored into an empty net in the final two minutes.
Amundrud was steady in the Warrior crease, turning aside 22 shots while Fleming faced 44.
The Warriors (10-4) next host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (1-9-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m.