It wasn’t the weekend the West Kelowna Warriors were expected as they lost twice in the Kootenays.
On Friday, Feb. 9, it was a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the Cranbrook Bucks as they scored the winning goal with just 16 seconds left in overtime.
The Warriors’ only goal in the game came from Jack Pridham, his 15th of the season.
The following night in Trail, the Warriors lost 6-4 to the Smoke Eaters, despite a three-point night from leading scorer Felix Caron. With the effort, Caron is tied for first in the BCHL in goals with 24 and tied for fourth in the league with 49 points.
In the game, the Warriors also got goals from Pridham (16th), Michael Salandra (19th), and Johannes Løkkeberg (9th). Jackson Kyrkostas and Isaiah Norlin each collected two assists in the loss.
Despite the two losses, West Kelowna is still second in the BCHL’s Interior Conference with a record of 24-9-7-0, five points behind the first-place Penticton Vees.
Now the Warriors have a busy and tough Family Day weekend ahead.
On Friday, Feb. 16, the Warriors welcome the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to Royal LePage Place. Salmon Arm is just three points behind the Warriors in the conference. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
The next day, the Warriors travel down Highway 97 to take on Penticton at the South Okanagan Events Centre. On Saturday night, puck drop is at 6 p.m.
West Kelowna will enjoy a day off on Sunday before welcoming the Langley Rivermen to town on Monday afternoon in a Family Day affair. Langley is entering the weekend seventh in the Coastal Conference with a record of 12-24-5-0. Monday’s puck drop is at 2:30 p.m.
Kids 12 and under get into Monday’s contest for free. Fans can skate with the Warriors after the game.
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