Warriors earn 5 on successful trip

The West Kelowna Warriors earned themselves five of a possible six points on a successful island road trip over the weekend.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Warriors Michael Buonincontri scored three times as the West Kelowna Warriors battled back for a 6-5 win in Victoria Sunday.

The Warriors, minus several regulars due to injury or suspension, rode back-up netminder Scott Patton all weekend, concluding the trip with a 6-5 win in Victoria Sunday.

The win followed a 4-3 win in Nanaimo and a 6-5 overtime defeat in Cowichan Valley.

The Warriors battled back from a deep early hole Sunday in the provincial capital, finding themselves down 3-0 to the Grizzlies by the 5:09 mark of the opening frame.

Andrew Johnson with his first as a Warriors late in the first and Hunter Zandee four minutes into the second cut the deficit to one.

The Grizzlies, on two occasions were able to stretch the lead back to two, however, two goals from Michael Buonincontri on Warriors power-plays, one late in the second and another early in the third, brought the Warriors even.

Johnson's second of the game near the seven minute mark proved to be the game winner.

Buonincontri scored the other Warriors goal to complete his first hat trick in a Warriors' uniform.

Kristian Blumenschein picked up three assists while league scoring leader Liam Blackburn added a pair of helpers.

Sunday's win moved the Warriors into a second place tie with Merritt in the ultra competitive Interior Division.

The Warriors and Centennials are a point better than Vernon and two up on both Trail and Salmon Arm.

West Kelowna complete their road odyssey Friday in Salmon Arm before opening up the month of November at home Saturday against the same Silverbacks.