The West Kelowna Warriors won their fourth straight game and bonded as a team in the process in a 5-2 victory in Salmon Arm on Saturday. 

Photo: Contributed - West Kelowna Warriors

Ambrose Firkus' power-play goal helped the Warriors win their 4th straight game.

Fresh off their overtime win in Merritt the night before, the Warriors jumped out to an early lead when Silverbacks goalie Adam Clark let a soft backhander from Marcus Basara slip in just 57 seconds into the contest. 

Clark would bounce back, making some strong saves as the game wore on, but Salmon Arm would never be able to generate enough offence to climb back into the game.

Braxton Bilous doubled West Kelowna’s lead late in the first when he finally banged a bouncing puck over the ‘Backs goal-line after several swings from a couple of Warriors. 

Salmon Arm pulled to within one when a Brandon Mistal slap shot squeezed through the pads of Tyler Briggs early in what proved to be a wild second period. 

The Warriors would increase their lead to 4-1 on a beautiful passing play finished off by David Pope and a power-play marker from Ambrose Firkus. 

Along with the three goals, the period also saw the teams combine for 49 minutes in penalties plus four misconducts.

On top of that, West Kelowna forward Brent Lashuk and Associate Coach Brent Gough were ejected from the game. 

Things would calm down in the third, in part due to an early power-play goal from Carter Lukenda.

That goal would get Salmon Arm to within a pair, but midway through the frame Brennan Clark sealed West Kelowna’s victory.

Despite a combative showing from both teams, the Warriors were thrilled with the way the game played out. 

“Those are the ones that we all live for,” says Bilous. “Rough stuff, a bunch of goals, too. It’s always nice to play in those games.”

He insists the win, combined with the opportunity to rally together, will only help the Warriors.

“Having guys jump in for one another, having guys stick up for each other...it’s great to see and it’s great for the team. 

With the win, the Warriors moved into second place in the Interior Conference, one point ahead of Merritt.

The Centennials host Salmon Arm on Sunday.

The Warriors have a rare morning start up next.

They host the Penticton Vees starting at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 23 at Royal LePage Place, as the Warriors welcome students and teachers from schools in the surrounding area.
 

--with files from Jon Zacks