Warriors look to keep up their winning ways
Warriors double Express ahead of important game tonight vs. Cents
The Warriors will look to stay on track after derailing the Coquitlam Express 4-2 Tuesday night on home ice.
West Kelowna now has a vital game against the visiting Merritt Centennials tonight.
Mike Hardman scored twice while Lucas Cullen and Brandon Dent added singles. Chase Dubois had three assists while Parm Dhaliwal had two helpers.
Connor Hopkins was the game’s first star in make 32 saves for the Warriors, who have won thee of the past four games.
It was a fast and furious first period.
On the power play, Dubois fed Hardman who beat Express goalie Clay Stevenson on a sharp angle to make it 1-0 less than seven minutes into the contest.
The Express answered 27 seconds later with Connor Gregga scoring his 12th of the season to tie it up.
Two minutes later, Dhaliwal sprang Cullen on a breakaway. He made it look easy to retake the lead.
With seven minutes to go in the frame, the Express would go to their first power play of the night and it was the newcomer for the Express, Jared Power, who was able to get a pass over to Gregga for his second of the night tying the game at two heading into the dressing room.
The Warriors would take over play for majority of the second period with numerous scoring chances. It was the fourth line that was able to connect. Warriors forward Eric Olson was able to kick the puck to Mason Richey, which allowed Richey to cross ice the puck to a wide-open Dent to make it 3-2. The Express would push late in the period, but it was Hopkins making a couple massive stops to preserve the lead.
The Express would start the third period on the power play, but were unable to cash in with Hopkins making more big saves, especially stopping a cross-ice pass where Express rookie Danny Pearson was robbed on the one time shot.
The Warriors would gain momentum after killing the penalty and it was Dubois again feeding Hardman, who scored his second of the hockey game to make it 4-2.
Hardman finished the game tied with Powell River Kings forward Ryan Brushett for the league lead in goals scored.
Shots on goal were 38-34 in favor of the Warriors. West Kelowna went 1-for-5 on the power play while the Express was 1-for-6.
Hopkins, Hardman and Dubois were the three stars.
The Warriors’ (20-14-1) next game is tonight versus the Centennials (21-11-2).
Puck drop is 7 p.m. at Royal LePage Place.