Wild whips Warriors for series lead

West Kelowna loses lead, momentum as Wenatchee retakes home-ice advantage

It was a dream beginning for the West Kelowna Warriors, but a nightmare finish.

Brandon Koch scored twice, and Lucas Sowder had a goal and two assists, as the defending champ Wenatchee Wild eclipsed the Warriors 6-2 on Tuesday night at Royal LePage Place. The win gives Wenatchee a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Murphy Stratton, PJ Fletcher and Josh Arnold scored for the Wild. Wenatchee’s Austin Park started the game, but only lasted six minutes. Cal Sandquist was solid in relief, but not tested nearly as much as the Warriors might have wanted.

Sandquist made 14 saves on 15 shots the rest of the way.

Cavin Tilsley and Lucas Cullen replied for the Warriors. Connor Hopkins made 22 saves for the Warriors. Tilsley’s unassisted goal at 6:08 of the first period opened the scoring, and the Warriors went into the first intermission leading 1-0. But it all came unglued in a second period that saw Wenatchee scored four times, including Koch’s first with five seconds to play in the period.

Wenatchee outshot West Kelowna 18-6 in the period and 35-24 overall. The lone bright spot might have been the Warriors power play, which is 2-for-2 in this playoff series. Game 4 is tonight at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna at 7 p.m.

CAPS 3, VEES 2 (OT)

David Melaragni scored at 3:54 of overtime as Cowichan Valley beat Penticton for a 2-1 series lead.

Cowichan finished 39 points back of the Vees in the regular season, but now have their second lead in the series. Game 4 is tonight, 7 p.m. in Duncan.

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