The night started so well for the Smoke Eaters, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes, but the Warriors surged back and beyond the Smoke Eaters on Saturday night.
As mentioned the Smoke Eaters came out of the game quickly. Despite the early pressure from the Warriors, the Smoke Eaters capitalized on their chances, scoring twice on just three shots. The first one was initially credited to Joel Barton but after review Coalson Wolford, playing in his 100th BCHL game, got his stick on the shot and helped direct it past Jonny Derrick. Take nothing away from the shot as Barton unloaded from the left point to give the Smoke Eaters the 1-0 lead.
The Smoke Eaters wouldn’t be stopped there as they would go on to build a 2-0 lead through a wonderful solo goal from Cam Moger. Moger would pick off the clearance attempt by the Warriors walk around the first forward and go post and in on Derrick.
From there the Warriors woke up and got back into the game. NHL Draft prospect Tyson Jugnauth would score twice in the back half of the first, one being on the powerplay, to tie the game at two. Then Christophe Farmer would score his first BCHL goal just 34 seconds after the Warriors tied the game. giving them a 3-2 lead heading into the second period.
The Smoke Eaters wasted no time tying the game up at 3. The Warriors tried to break in off the opening draw but miss played the puck in front of Fradette, leading to a Smoke Eaters counter attack that worked to perfection.
The Warriors would retake their lead at the halfway point of the second period, as Charles-Alexis Legeault got in behind the Smoke Eaters defenceman to tip a puck over Fradette, making it 4-3 West Kelowna.
The third period is where the game got out of hand from a Smoke Eaters perspective. While pushing for the equalizer the Smoke Eaters became unglued at the back end giving up far to many opportunities that the Warriors would capitalize on. West Kelowna scored two to start the third period jumping out to a 6-3 lead before the Smoke Eaters got back on the board. Damon Jugnauth and Chase Dafoe would score goals in quick succession to extend the Warriors lead. Evan Bushy got the Smoke Eaters within two with his sixth goal of the season. As he went blocker side on Derrick, scoring the first of two powerplay goals on the night for the Smoke Eaters, who closed out the weekend 6/8 on the man advantage.
West Kelowna would strike back a minute later to take a 7-4 lead, a goal that would really put the game out of the Smoke Eaters reach. Despite facing another three goal deficit the Smoke Eaters still went forward with the belief they could get back into the hockey game. Brady Hunter made it a two goal game again as the Smoke Eaters powerplay came through with their second powerplay goal of the night and Hunter’s 16th of the season.
From there the Warriors would run away with the game scoring three more times in the final part of the game. The Smoke Eaters will have to quickly forget about this one, with three games next week, starting Wednesday at home against Vernon before two road games against Salmon Arm and Penticton.
