Streaking Warriors win fourth straight

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Liam Blackburn tries to corral a loose puck at the side of the Trail net during the second period of the Warriors 7-3 win.

Seb Lloyd and Tyson Dallman each scored twice and the streaking West Kelowna Warriors thumped the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters 7-3 Saturday at Royal LePage Place.

The Warriors, winners of four in a row and seven of eight, jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the game was 12 minutes old and never looked back.

Jordon Masters on a power-play, Lloyd and David Pope all scored in a span of 2:15 midway through the first to open the flood gates.

Lloyd, Dallman with two including one on the power-play and Reid Simmonds on another power-play scored in the second frame for the Warriors who locked it down after taking a commanding 7-2 lead into the third period.

Lloyd had an assist to go with his two goals while Taki Pantziris, Liam Blackburn and Jason Cotton all chipped in with a pair of helpers.

Warriors coach Rylan Ferster liked the way his team started but admitted the game did bog down at times.

"They do a pretty good job of bottling you up and I think they do a pretty good job in their own end too," says Ferster of the visiting Smoke Eaters.

"They really don't give you a whole lot. You see tonight three of our goals are on the power-play."

The Warriors have been near the bottom of the league with the man advantage, clicking at just 17 per cent.

Saturday, they connected on three of their four opportunities and looked dangerous each time they had the extra attacker.

"I thought we had some good looks - we even hit a post too. Any time your power-play gets three obviously some things click.

"Hopefully that's a sign of some good things to come."

Trail managed just one goal on their four opportunities.

Cody Porter got a rare start in goal making 25 saves for his third win of the season.

Adam Todd started the night for Trail but was pulled after allowing five goals on 25 shots.

Dustin Nikkel went the rest of the way giving up the final two goals on 15 shots.

With the win the Warriors remain in third spot in the Interior Division  point up on Salmon Arm and two back of the second place Vernon Vipers.

The Warriors can pull even with Vernon Sunday when they host the Nanaimo Clippers Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at Royal LePage Place.

The Clippers will be playing their third game in three days on an interior swing.

They beat Salmon Arm Friday and lost to the Vipers Saturday.

The Warriors and Clippers have split their two meetings this season.

The Clippers won 6-5 at the Showcase Event in Chilliwack while the Warriors posted a 4-2 win in Nanaimo in early October.