The West Kelowna Warriors used a three-goal second period to sweep their season series with the Island Division’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs, defeating them by a 4-2 score in BCHL action Saturday night at Royal LePage Place.
The Warriors opened the scoring for the second straight night and again, it would come courtesy of a defensemen as Stephen Kleysen connected with his 2nd goal of the season late in the period at the 16:46 mark of the frame.
Kleysen’s left point shot hit a body in front and redirected into the goal past Bulldog netminder Brody Claeys glove for the 1-0 advantage for West Kelowna and the only goal of the first period.
The 2nd period started off well for the home side, who doubled their lead just 42 seconds into the 2nd period as Braiden Epp deflected home a point shot from Kleysen on the power play for his 7th goal of the season and a 2-0 Warrior lead.
The Warriors tripled their lead at the 5:58 mark of the 2nd period as Jake Harrison crept down the back door and directed in a Scott Allan shot past the blocker side of Claeys to extend the Warrior lead to 3-0 and end the night of the Alberni goaltender after 15 saves on 18 shots.
Connor Sodergren tallied the fourth Warrior goal of the night at the 14:20 mark of the 2nd period and completed a three-goal frame for the Warriors.
Sodergren banged in a rebound on the blocker side of new goaltender affiliated goaltender Zakery Myrowich and his 11th put the Warriors up by a 4-0 score.
The Bulldogs made things interesting with a pair of goals in the final period of play as Trevor Cosgrove’s mid point shot glanced off the glove of Warriors goaltender Shane Farkas at the 7:05 mark of the 3rd period to get Alberni Valley on the score board and make it 4-1 Warriors.
Alberni Valley got to within two goals with just 20 seconds remaining in the 3rd period as a terrific end-to-end rush from Mackenzie Wight was finished off with a shot on Farkas’ glove side.
Despite a late push by the Bulldogs, including a puck that crossed the line just after the buzzer had sounded, the Warriors picked up their 13th victory of the season with a 4-2 final over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
West Kelowna got fantastic efforts from Stephen Kleysen and Chase Stevenson, each netting three points in the win while Shane Farkas made 25 saves on 27 shots for his 7th win of the season.
Bulldogs netminder Brody Claeys started the game, and drew the loss, with 15 saves on 18 shots before AP goaltender Zakery Myrowich made 12 saves on the 13 shots he faced.