Warriors split in Wenatchee
The West Kelowna Warriors beat the Wenatchee Wild in overtime Friday, but then had their threegame winning streak snapped with a 6-0 defeat Saturday in the Washington city.
On Friday, RJ Murphy’s two-goal performance, and his third overtime game winner of the season just 40 seconds into the extra time, gave the Warriors a 5-4 win. The home team led 3-2 after the Àrst period. Jared Marino’s tying goal early in the frame was the only goal of the second period.
West Kelowna took a 4-3 lead four minutes into the third period with newly acquired forward Ryan Steele notching his Àrst goal as a Warrior.
Wenatchee tied the game four minutes later with their third power play goal of the night.
The home team took a 2-0 lead early. Murphy and Michael Ryan replied for West Kelowna before the Wild capped off a high-scoring opening frame with a goal by Jasper Weatherby.
In a game with a lot of shots, Nik Amundrud made 40 saves for his 10th victory of the season while Austin Park turned aside 33 shots. Shots on goal: 44-38 Wild Warriors PP: 0/3 Warriors PK: 5/8 3 Stars: 1) Stephen Kleysen (2-0-2) 2) Wyatt Head (0-2-2) 3) Nik Amundrud (40 saves on 44 shots)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game: Jackson Wozniak (0-0-0) Attendance: 2,814 Wild 6 Warriors 0
The Wild led 2-0 after the Àrst period and 3-0 after 40 minutes.
Wenatchee opened the game with three consecutive power plays and, on their third attempt, struck Àrst blood with a goal by Sam Morton.
Cooper Zech, the BC Hockey League’s topscoring defenceman, netted the second goal for the Wild.
The Warriors played a strong second period, but couldn’t get on the scoreboard. Late in the period, Sam Hesler added to the home team’s lead.
In the third, the Wild got a power-play goal from Zak Galambos. Weatherby scored about a minute later and then capped off the scoring with his second of the night.
Cole Demers stopped 26 shots for the Warriors while Seth Eisele turned aside all 15 shots he faced in the game for his 11th win of the season and his Àrst shutout of the year. Shots on goal: 32-15 Wild Warriors PP: 0/4 Warriors PK: 2/4 3 Stars: 1) Jasper Weatherby (2-1-3) 2) Sam Morton (1-1-2) 3) Cooper Zech (1-1-2) Fortis Energy Player of the Game: Zak Galambos (1-1-2) Attendance: 3,868