Mixed results for Warriors on weekend

The West Kelowna Warriors had their three-game winning streak stopped on Sunday, losing 3-1 to the Silverbacks in Salmon Arm.

The Warriors (11-5-0-0) started the weekend with a 3-2 victory over the visiting Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday night at Royal LePage Place.

However, Sunday’s setback, combined with a 9-0 blowout win for the Vernon Vipers (10-40-2) on the road over the Trail Smoke Eaters, left the Valley rivals tied atop the Interior Division standings with 22 points.

The Smoke Eaters (10-4-1-0) are just one point back of the Warriors and Vipers, while the defending BCHL champion Penticton Vees (9-2-0-1) and Wenatchee Wild (9-5-0-1) are both three points behind the leaders. Wenatchee beat Penticton 4-2 below the border on Saturday.

At Salmon Arm, the Silverbacks (8-70-1) took a 2-0 lead in the second period following a scoreless opening frame.

Marcus Mitchell, a Kelowna product, got Salmon Arm on the board and Noah Wakeford made it 2-0 before recent acquisition Michael Lombardi responded for West Kelowna, which trailed 2-1 through 40 minutes.

Rhett Kingston, on a late power play, scored the only goal of the third period for the hosts.

At West Kelowna, Matthew Campese and Chase Dubois scored 25 seconds apart early in the third period to prevail over Cowichan.

West Kelowna visits Vernon for a first-place showdown on Saturday night, then travels to Merritt for a Sunday matinee.