Home not sweet, Warriors fall to Vees

The West Kelowna Warriors hoped opponents would find Royal LePage Place a tough place to play during the 2012-2013 season.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Garrett Rockafellow gets a piece of a shot during the second period of the Warriors 5-3 loss to Penticton

Thus far, only the Warriors are finding the going tough.

West Kelowna remained winless on home ice early in the new season, dropping a 5-3 decision to the visiting Penticton Vees Saturday.

The Warriors found themselves down early when Cam Amantea banged a rebound past Garrett Rockafellow just two minutes into the game to give the visitors a quick 1-0 lead.

After Seb Lloyd potted a rebound of his own to tie it eight minutes later Dexter Dancs deflected home a point shot on a power-play to restore Penticton's one goal lead.

Cody DePourcq converted a three-on-one break late in the second to give the Vees a 3-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

The Warriors came alive in the final frame, getting goals from Matt Anholt and David Pope before the midway mark of the third to tie it 3-3.

At that point the Warriors had all the momentum, however, seconds after a one minute time-out, Brad McClure pounced on a loose puck in the crease and tapped home what proved to be the game winner.

McClure salted the game away with an empty net goal in the dying seconds just moments after Marcus Basara was denied on a chance at the equalizer.

After opening the season with two convincing wins during the BCHL Showcase event in Chilliwack the Warriors have now gone three games without a win including a double overtime loss to Penticton a week ago and a 3-1 defeat in Trail Friday night.

Warriors head coach Rylan Ferster says it was frustrating to watch his team claw its way back in the third period only to see it slip away on them.

The Warriors also thought they had scored on two occasions after the goal light went on. In the first period Seb Lloyd's wraparound attempt appeared to get near the goal line, however, the officials on the ice ruled it didn't cross the line.

In the third period the light went on after a shot clearly hit the goal post.

As for the team's play over the past eight days.

"It's more than a little bit frustrating," says Ferster.

"We'll sort it out this week, that's for sure."

The Warriors were without defencemen Adam Plant (injury) and Josh Monk (suspension). Starting netminder Tyler Briggs and forward Brennan Clark were also missing due to injury.

The Vees went without Wade Murphy (suspension) and Louie Nanne (family illness).

The Warriors will definitely get Monk back and Ferster says the rest could also be ready when Trail comes to Royal LePage Place next Friday night.