Warriors drop opener

Photo: Wayne Moore

The West Kelowna Warriors came up on the short end as they opened their pre season BC Hockey League schedule.

Playing many young players who will soon be heading back to midget or Junior B programs, the Warriors fell 6-3 to the Penticton Vees Wednesday at Royal LePage Place.

The Vees also played a young roster filled with a number of players from the Anaheim Ducks junior program who have been practicing in Penticton this week.

Cassidy Bowes, who played a handful of games with the Vees last season, and is expected to be a significant contributor this season, scored three times and was easily the best player on the ice.

For the Warriors, Ryan Cooper and Max Bulawka both stood out.

Bulawka was expected to earn a spot on the roster while Cooper, who scored a highlight reel goal, had a pair of assists and looked dangerous whenever he had the puck, may have played his way into the conversation.

"We didn't really know much about him and I thought he really impressed tonight," said Warriors head coach Rylan Ferster of Cooper.

"He was really good on one side of the puck and did some really good things. You always learn some things about players, good and bad."

Ryan Ostin and Ty Mosimann also scored for the Warriors.

One player who didn't have a chance to show what he could do was 17-year-old forward Chase Sakic, son of Colorado Avalanche GM, and future hall-of-famer Joe Sakic.

The younger Sakic was injured early in the game and missed much of the first period. He came back in the second but was hurt again when he was rammed into the end boards, the victim of a vicious boarding penalty.

Sakic went the hospital for x-rays.

The Warriors will suit up again Friday night when they host the Merritt Centennials before making a return visit to Merritt Saturday.

Ferster expects to reduce the roster later in the week to get closer to the group that will open up the regular season in a little more than two weeks time.