Vees complete sweep of Warriors

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Lewis Zerter-Gossage scores what proved to be the game winner early in the game Saturday as Penticton dumped the West Kelowna Warriors 4-0.

The West Kelowna Warriors squandered a brilliant effort from goaltender Andy Desautels in a 4-0 loss to the visiting Penticton Vees Saturday at Royal LePage Place.

Despite allowing three goals over 40 minutes before leaving with an undisclosed upper body injury, Desautels made several point blank saves to give his teammates a chance to get back into the game.

Desautels robbed Lewis Zerter-Gossage and Tyson Jost with spectacular windmill glove saves after stoning Jack Ramsey with a quick pad save off a rebound during a Vees power-play.

"I thought Andy played really well," says head coach Rylan Ferster. "He gave us a chance to win.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Warriors forward Adam Osczevski blows past Vees' Jarod Hilderman during the first period of Saturday's BCHL game

But, when you get outshot two to one in your building you're not going to have much of a chance to win the game."

Zerter-Gosaage scored the only goal of the opening period when he took a feed in front of Desautels, quickly went forehand to backhand and tucked the puck into the far corner.

The Warriors had a chance to get back into the game with two early second period power-plays.

They controlled the puck for much of the time but were unable to beat Vees netminder Hunter Miska.

Moments later, Demico Hannoun scored his first of two when he took a pass from Zerter-Gossage and wired a one-timer from the right circle past Desautels.

Penticton took over from there, buzzing the Warriors net seemingly at will. Over a 10 minute span, they fired 15 consecutive shots on Desautels with no response from the Warriors.

Matthew Serratore put to rest any thought of a comeback when his shot from the bottom of the left faceoff circle found its way into the net with just 4.5 seconds left in the middle period.

Back-up Scott Patton replaced Desautels to start the third and allowed the final goal from Hannoun and a smart feed from Zerter-Gossage on a two-on-one break.

"We don't score in our own building. We're going to have to score at least one if we want to win a hockey game," added Ferster.

The Warriors lost the opening half of the home-and-home set Friday night in Penticton when the Vees scored twice in the final three minutes to erase a one goal deficit.

Ferster says he doesn't think Saturday's effort was a hangover from Friday's defeat.

"You like to think not. Last night we gave ourselves a chance to win the game and didn't and obviously it was a couple of bad bounces," say Ferster.

"Tonight we just didn't have an opportunity from the start. But, give them credit, they worked hard for 60 minutes."

The Vees outshot the Warriors 47-29 including a 21-10 edge during the decisive second period.

The Warriors have now lost two in a row and three of their last four.

They get a chance to right the ship next weekend. The Warriors play in Merritt Friday before returning home to host the Vernon Vipers Saturday.