Warriors, Silverbacks split weekend series

They say it’s tough to beat the same team twice in a row and that proved to be the case in a weekend home-and-home series between the West Kelowna Warriors and Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

On Saturday night in the Shuswap, the Silverbacks bounced back with a 4-1 win after falling 5-3 the night before at Royal LePage Place in BC Hockey League action.

On Friday in West Kelowna, a strong opening 20 minutes had the Warriors leading 2-0 after one. Parm Dhaliwal scored his Àrst goal of the season as Mike Hardman won a faceoff back, and the veteran forward’s shot found its way through a maze of players into the back of the net.

Willie Reim scored his Àrst goal of the game for the Warriors with six minutes left on the clock. He would get a hat trick on the night.

Salmon Arm came back in the second after killing off four straight power plays — a theme of the weekend.

Olson Werenka put the visitors on the board with his second goal of the season. Seven minutes later, Justin Wilson came down the right wing, and snapped the puck across to Noah Wakeford who tapped it in for his Àrst of the season.

The Áoodgates opened in the third period with four goals in the span of 5:09.

Reim went glove side on Salmon Arm goalie Ethan Langenegger to restore the Warriors lead at 3-2 with 7:13 left on the clock.

Salmon Arm replied three minutes later with Justin Wilson coming down one on one against a defender and snapping a shot through the legs of Connor Hopkins.

Two and a half minutes later, West Kelowna would go ahead again with Wyatt Head digging the puck from the left corner and getting it out to the slot for Mike Hardman, who continued his hot scoring touch.

Reim’s third goals of the night on the power play capped off the scoring.

On Saturday, Wyatt Head opened the scoring for West Kelowna nine minutes into the game. The home team replied with a shorthanded goal by Tyson Gafyer, who also netted the lone goal of the second frame.

West Kelowna started the third period with a minute of power play time, but was unable to capitalize. That would prove costly as Wakeford scored his second goal in as many games for Salmon Arm three minutes in.

Salmon Arm killed off two more West Kelowna power plays, then sealed the win with a late goal by Hudson Schandor.

The Warriors are back in the Shaw Centre to take on the Silverbacks Friday night.

On Sunday, the Warriors host Victoria Grizzlies in an afternoon encounter that starts at 2:30 p.m. at Royal LePage Place.